Ventilation System

Heater & Cooling Unit Assembly: Removal and Installation

REMOVAL
1. Discharge the refrigerant from the A/C system. Refer to [HFC-134a (R-134a) Service Procedure].
2. Drain the coolant from the engine cooling system. Refer to [Changing Engine Coolant] (QR25DE), [Changing Engine Coolant] (VQ40DE).
3. Disconnect the battery negative and positive terminals.
4. For vehicles equipped with the VQ40DE engine, remove the RH heater core pipes nut.






5. Disconnect the heater core hoses from the heater core.
6. Disconnect the high- and low-pressure A/C pipes from the expansion valve.
7. Move the two front seats to the rearmost position on the seat track.
8. Remove the instrument panel and console panel. Refer to [Instrument Panel Assembly: Exploded View].
9. Remove the two front floor ducts.
10. Remove the steering column. Refer to [Steering Column: Removal and Installation].
11. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness at the RH and LH in-line connector brackets, and the fuse block (SMJ) electrical connectors. Refer to [Harness Layout].
12. Remove the covers then remove the three steering member bolts from each side to disconnect the steering member from the vehicle body.
13. Remove the heater and cooling unit assembly with it attached to the steering member, from the vehicle.

CAUTION:
- Use care not to damage the seats and interior trim panels when removing the heater and cooling unit assembly with it attached to the steering member.
- Use suitable plugs on the heater core pipes to prevent coolant leakage.

14. Remove the heater and cooling unit assembly from the steering member.

INSTALLATION
Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

CAUTION:
- Replace the O-ring of the low-pressure A/C pipe and high-pressure A/C pipe with a new one, and apply compressor oil to the O-ring for installation.
- After charging the refrigerant, check for leaks. Refer to [Checking of Refrigerant Leaks].

NOTE:
- Fill the engine cooling system with the specified coolant mixture. Refer to [Changing Engine Coolant] (QR25DE), [Changing Engine Coolant] (VQ40DE).
- Recharge the A/C system. Refer to [HFC-134a (R-134a) Service Procedure].