Housing, HVAC: Removal: Housing-HVAC

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Dodge Journey. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING:

Disable the airbag system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery (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 follow these instructions may result in accidental airbag deployment and possible serious or fatal injury.

WARNING:

Review the warnings and cautions for this system before performing the procedure. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious injury or death.

NOTE:

The HVAC housing must be removed from the vehicle and disassembled for service of the heater core, A/C evaporator, air intake housing and the mode-air and blend-air doors.

NOTE:

LHD model shown in illustrations. RHD model similar.

Fig 1: Heat Shield & Fasteners

Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system. Refer to PLUMBING, FRONT, STANDARD PROCEDURE .
Partially drain the engine cooling system. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE .
If equipped with heat shield (3), remove the top nut (2) that secures the heat shield to the stud (1) located on the dash panel.
NOTE:
Two slots are provided at the bottom of the heat shield to aid in heat shield removal, if equipped. Complete removal of the two bottom heat shield retaining nuts is not required.
If equipped, reach behind the engine and remove the two bottom nuts the that secure the heat shield to the studs located on the dash panel and remove the heat shield. Rotate and tilt the heat shield as required.

Fig 2: Heater Hoses, A/C Unified Liquid And Suction Lines
Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC
Remove the nut (1) that secures the A/C liquid and suction line assembly (2) to the A/C expansion valve (3).
Disconnect the A/C liquid and suction line assembly from the A/C evaporator and remove and discard the dual-plane seals.
Install plugs in, or tape over the opened refrigerant line fittings and the evaporator ports.
Disconnect the heater hoses (4) from the heater core tubes. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened heater core tubes to prevent coolant spillage during housing removal.

Fig 3: HVAC Housing To Dash Panel Nut
Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC

NOTE:
Make sure to remove the five bolts that secure the HVAC housing to the instrument panel support prior to removing the instrument panel from the vehicle.
Remove the instrument panel. Refer to PANEL, INSTRUMENT, REMOVAL .
Remove the rear floor ducts. Refer to DUCT, FLOOR DISTRIBUTION, REAR, REMOVAL .
Remove the condensation drain tube.
Remove the nut (1) that secures the passenger side of the HVAC housing (2) to the dash panel (3).
NOTE:
Use care to ensure that the interior is covered in case of loss of residual fluids from the heater and evaporator cores.
Pull the HVAC housing rearward and remove the HVAC housing assembly from the passenger compartment.

Fig 4: HVAC Housing Air Inlet Duct
Courtesy of CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC
If required, remove the HVAC housing air inlet duct (2) from the passenger compartment side of the dash panel (1).