2 - Heater A/C Control; Removal; Installation; A/C Loss Of Charge Switch - Dodge Dakota Sport 2001 Service Manual

24 - 16 CONTROLS
A/C HEATER CONTROL (Continued)
illumination lamps are available for service replace-
ment.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING- HEATER-A/C
CONTROL
Satisfactory heater and air conditioner perfor-
mance depends upon proper operation and adjust-
ment of all operating controls and refrigeration
system components. For circuit descriptions and dia-
grams, refer to Air Conditioning/Heater in Group 8W
- Wiring Diagrams. Use of the DRBIII
for diagnosis and testing, follow instructions on
DRBIII .

REMOVAL

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 ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENTAL
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the cluster bezel from the instrument
panel (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the screws that secure the a/c heater
control to the cluster bezel (Fig. 15).
Fig. 15 A/C HEATER CONTROL REMOVE/INSTAL
1 - HEATER A/C CONTROL ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR

2 - HEATER A/C CONTROL

3 - HEATER A/C CONTROL MOUNTING SCREW
(4) Remove the a/c heater control from the cluster
bezel.
(5) Unplug the wire harness connectors from the
back of the heater-A/C control.

INSTALLATION

(1) Plug the wire harness connector into the back
of the heater-A/C control.
(2) Position the a/c heater control in the instru-
ment panel cluster bezel.
(3) Install the fastener screws and tighten to 2.2
is required
N·m (17 ±3 in. lbs.).
(4) Install the cluster bezel in the instrument
panel (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER - REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION).
(5) Connect the battery negative cable.
(6) Perform A/C cool down test with DRB III.

A/C LOSS OF CHARGE SWITCH

DESCRIPTION

The a/c loss of charge switch is located on the top
of the accumulator. The switch is used to measure if
refrigerant system pressure goes too low. It is not
responsible for cycling the a/c compressor clutch. The
switch is screwed onto an accumulator fitting that
contains a Schrader-type valve, which allows the
switch to be serviced without discharging the refrig-
erant system. The accumulator fitting is equipped
with an O-ring to seal the switch connection.

OPERATION

The loss of charge switch is connected in series
electrically with the Heater-A/C controls between
ground and the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
The switch contacts open and close causing the PCM
to turn the compressor clutch on and off. This pre-
vents compressor operation when the system charge
is low and prevents damage to the compressor. The
switch opens with a pressure of 7 to 13 psi and closes
when the pressure rises to 15 to 25 psi.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - LOSS OF CHARGE
SWITCH
Before performing diagnosis of the loss of charge
switch, be certain that the switch is properly
installed on the accumulator fitting. If the switch is
too loose it may not open the Schrader-type valve in
the accumulator fitting, which will prevent the
switch from correctly monitoring the refrigerant sys-
tem pressure. Remember that lower ambient temper-
atures during cold weather will open the switch
contacts and prevent compressor operation due to the
pressure/temperature relationship of the refrigerant.
AN