Ford 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual page 3039

SECTION 412-00: Climate Control System - General Information
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
Climate Control System
WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible injury, the air bag system
backup power supply must be depleted before repairing any climate control components. To
deplete the backup power supply, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait one minute.
Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.
WARNING: Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and dangerous. If it is necessary to
operate the engine with the vehicle in a closed area such as a garage, always use an exhaust
collector to vent the exhaust gases outside the closed area.
WARNING: R-134a is classified as a safe refrigerant, but misuse can make it dangerous.
The following precautions must be observed:
Always wear safety goggles when repairing an air conditioning system.
Avoid contact with liquid refrigerant R-134a. R-134a vaporizes at approximately -25°C (-
13°F) under atmospheric pressure and it will freeze skin tissue.
Never allow refrigerant R-134a gas to escape in quantity in an occupied space. R-134a is
non-toxic, but it will displace the oxygen needed to support life.
Never use a torch in an atmosphere containing R-134a gas. R-134a is non-toxic at all
normal conditions, but when it is exposed to high temperatures, such as a torch flame, it
decomposes. During decomposition it releases irritation and toxic gases (as described in
the MSDS sheet from the manufacturer). Decomposition products are hydrofluoric acid,
carbon dioxide and water.
Do not allow any portion of the charged air conditioning system to become too hot. The
pressure in an air conditioning system rises as the temperature rises and temperatures
of approximately 85°C (185°F) can be dangerous.
Allow the engine to cool sufficiently prior to carrying out maintenance or serious burns
and injury can occur.
CAUTION: To avoid damaging the vehicle or A/C components, the following precautions
must be observed:
The A/C refrigerant of all vehicles must be identified and analyzed prior to refrigerant
charging. Failure to due so can contaminate the shop bulk refrigerant and other vehicles.
Do not add R-12 refrigerant to an A/C system that requires the use of R-134a refrigerant.
These two types of refrigerant must never be mixed. Doing so can damage the A/C
system.
Charge the A/C system with the engine running only at the low-pressure side to prevent
refrigerant slugging from damaging the A/C compressor.
Use only R-134a refrigerant. Due to environmental concerns, when the air conditioning
system is drained, the refrigerant must be collected using refrigerant recovery/recycling
equipment. Federal law REQUIRES that R-134a be recovered into appropriate recovery
equipment and the process be conducted by qualified technicians who have been
certified by an approved organization, such as MACS, ASI etc. Use of a recovery machine
dedicated to R-134a is necessary to reduce the possibility of oil and refrigerant
incompatibility concerns. Refer to the instructions provided by the equipment
manufacturer when removing refrigerant from or charging the air conditioning system.
2003 Mustang Workshop Manual