HVAC Housing: Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Dodge Dakota. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
NOTE:
The HVAC housing must be removed from the vehicle and the two halves of the housing separated for service access of the heater core, evaporator coil, defrost door, blend door and the recirculation door.
- Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
- Recover refrigerant from the refrigerant system (Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT RECOVERY ).
- Drain the engine cooling system (Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE - DRAINING COOLING SYSTEM ).
- Disconnect the liquid line from the evaporator inlet tube (Refer to LIQUID LINE ). Install plugs in, or tape over the opened liquid line fitting and the evaporator inlet tube.
- Disconnect the accumulator from the evaporator outlet tube (Refer to ACCUMULATOR ). Install plugs in, or tape over the opened refrigerant line fitting and the evaporator outlet tube.
- Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core tubes. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened heater core tubes.
- Remove the four nuts that secure the HVAC housing to the dash panel in the engine compartment ( Figure ).
- Remove the instrument panel from the vehicle (Refer to INSTRUMENT PANEL ASSEMBLY ).
- Remove the two bolts that secure the HVAC housing to the dash panel in the passenger compartment.
- Remove the HVAC housing from the vehicle.