With A/C
Heater Case Removal and Installation- Drain the cooling system.
- Disconnect the negative (-) terminal from the battery.
CAUTION: Automotive refrigerant containing CFC's is hazardous to the earth's atmosphere. To protect our environment, use an Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approved refrigerant recovery/recycling unit such as Kent-Moore ACR3, or equivalent, whenever discharging an A/C system.
NOTE: Characters in ( ) denote applicable points in the image.
(1) Evaporator
(2) Expansion valve
(3) Sight glass
(4) Receiver/drier replace if system is contaminated or system has been open for several hours
(5) Pressure relief valve
(6) Condenser
(7) High pressure switch
(8) High pressure service valve
(9) Low pressure switch
(10) Oil drain plug
(11) A/C compressor
- Remove protective caps from A/C service valves.
- Close both valves on A/C manifold gauge set.
- Connect hose 1 from low pressure gauge to low pressure service valve.
- Connect hose 3 from high pressure gauge to high pressure service valve.
- Connect manifold gauge hose (2) to inlet connection (4) on refrigerant recovery recycling unit (5).
CAUTION: Always follow manufacturer's instructions when using a refrigerant recovery/recycling unit.
- Following manufacturer's instructions, discharge A/C system into refrigerant recovery/recycling unit.
- Close manifold gauge valves when refrigerant is fully discharged.
- Disconnect manifold gauge set hose from service valves.
- Reinstall protective caps on service valves.
CAUTION: Do not leave A/C system open for long periods of time. Prolonged exposure to the air will contaminate the system and necessitate replacement of receiver/drier and possibly other system components.
- Disconnect electrical connector from A/C compressor clutch, to prevent accidental compressor operation while system is discharged.
- Remove the center console. On manual transmission cars, first remove the gearshift lever knob and the gearshift boot.
- On automatic transmission cars remove the selector lever cover plate.
- Remove the lower-left instrument panel tray by removing the screws indicated.
NOTE:
^ On some models the tray may run the full length of the instrument panel, On models with passive restraint there may be a knee bar.
^ Kneebars are held with two bolts at either end.
^ With full-length trays it is necessary to remove two screws securing the fuse panel to the tray.
First Type:
Second Type:
- Depending on the center console (first type or second type), remove the retaining screws and partially remove the console. Separate any electrical connectors from behind.
- Pry out the glove box light assembly and remove its wiring connector.
- Remove the glove box by removing the screws around it's rim.
- Remove the heating and ventilation control head from the instrument panel.
- Pull the control levers straight out, unclip the trim plate, disconnect the wires to it, and remove the plate.
- Remove the three control head mounting screws.
- Remove the radio, if applicable.
- Remove the speedometer cable by reaching behind the instrument cluster and pinch the cable retaining clip, sliding it off the cable end.
- Remove plenum water tray.
- Remove instrument panel fasteners.
- Lift and support instrument panel.
- Remove defroster duct (A).
- Remove instrument panel support bracket (B).
- Disconnect wiring at heater housing.
- Remove vent duct right side.
- Remove interior heater housing fastener.
- Disconnect vacuum reservoir hose.
- Remove coolant reservoir (A) from bracket (B).
- Position reservoir below level of hose (C).
- Remove harness tie straps at heater hoses.
- Disconnect coil wire (D) for access to heater hose.
- Remove heater hoses.
- Plug heater core pipes to prevent antifreeze spills during heater housing removal.
- Remove air intake boot at throttle body.
- Remove oxygen sensor wire (if equipped).
- Remove A/C suction line clamp (A).
- Disconnect A/C lines at expansion valve (B), cap openings immediately.
- Remove heater housing fasteners (arrows) in engine compartment.
- Remove heater housing assembly.
NOTE: Installation is in reverse order of removal and includes the following additional steps:
- Install new seals at:
^ A/C inlet/outlet lines at evaporator core, and heater core
^ Air intake duct
^ Air distribution case
^ Other seal locations, as necessary
- Apply silicone sealer (available locally) to mating surface of:
^ Fresh air blower housing
^ Air intake duct
^ Evaporator housing (upper)
- Evacuate and recharge A/C system.
- Replenish coolant to specifications.