Car Automotive

Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Systems’

The elaborate system of ducting under the dashboard of your vehicle is designed to put heated or air conditioned air right where you want it. Most vehicles have ducts that allow the driver to direct the heated or cooled air toward the floor, the front seat occupants or the inside of the windshield for defrosting, or a combination of the above. Air is forced through various vents in the dash via a series of cable or vacuum operated doors. Usually, the more expensive the vehicle, the more elaborate the duct system.

The cable system is virtually foolproof. Cables rarely have to be replaced during the service life of the vehicle. The first tip-off that something is wrong with a cable usually occurs when it becomes difficult to move the control lever on the control head for the heater and air conditioner. If this happens, the door at the other end of the cable is probably jammed. Don’t try to force the lever or you’ll probably break the cable. Instead, refer to the Haynes Automotive Repair Manual which covers your vehicle, remove the dash or under dash trim plates and try to free up the door.

Some heating and air conditioning systems utilize vacuum lines instead of, or in addition to, cables for actuating the doors. And the latest designs employ electrically actuated doors, or a combination of electrical and vacuum operated doors . These systems are highly complex and their diagnosis and repair is sometimes even beyond the scope of professional mechanics! Service on such systems is best left to an air conditioning technician.