Section 13 (Heating & Air Conditioning (Service Information)): Plumbing: Accumulator: Operation: Operation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Dodge Caliber. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: A/C Accumulator

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC

NOTE: Typical A/C accumulator shown.

Refrigerant enters the A/C accumulator (1) mostly as a low pressure vapor through the inlet tube (2). Any liquid, oil-laden refrigerant falls to the bottom of the canister, which acts as a separator. A desiccant bag (3) is mounted inside the accumulator canister to absorb any moisture which may have entered and become trapped within the refrigerant system. A filter (4) is also mounted inside the canister to trap any foreign material that may have entered the refrigerant system during assembly. The low pressure vapor exits the A/C accumulator through the outlet tube (5).

NOTE: Replacement of the refrigerant line O-ring seals and gaskets is required anytime a refrigerant line is opened. Failure to replace the rubber O-ring seals and metal gaskets could result in a refrigerant system leak.

The A/C accumulator has no serviceable parts except for the O-ring seals and gaskets. The O-ring seals used on the connections are made from a special type of rubber not affected by R-134a refrigerant. The O-ring seals and gaskets must be replaced whenever the A/C accumulator is removed and installed.

The A/C accumulator cannot be repaired and must be replaced if found to be leaking or damaged, or if an internal failure of the A/C compressor has occurred.