Dodge RAM 1500 1998 Owner's Manual page 2539

24 - 52 PLUMBING
A/C COMPRESSOR (Continued)
Fig. 9 A/C Compressor - 5.9L Diesel
1 - ENGINE BLOCK
2 - MOUNTING BRACKET
3 - A/C COMPRESSOR
4 - BOLT (4)
(11) Install the serpentine drive belt (Refer to 7 -
COOLING/ACCESSORY DRIVE/DRIVE BELTS -
INSTALLATION).
(12) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
(13) Evacuate the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
(14) Charge the refrigerant system (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE).
A/C CONDENSER
DESCRIPTION
The condenser is located in the air flow next to the
engine cooling radiator. The condenser is a heat
exchanger that allows the high-pressure refrigerant
gas being discharged by the compressor to give up its
heat to the air passing over the condenser fins.
OPERATION
When air passes through the condenser fins, the
high-pressure refrigerant gas within the A/C con-
denser gives up its heat. The refrigerant then con-
denses as it leaves the A/C condenser and becomes a
high-pressure liquid. The volume of air flowing over
the condenser fins is critical to the proper cooling
performance of the air conditioning system. There-
fore, it is important that there are no objects placed
in front of the radiator grille openings at the front of
the vehicle or foreign material on the condenser fins
that might obstruct proper air flow. Also, any factory-
installed air seals or shrouds must be properly rein-
stalled following radiator or A/C condenser service.
The A/C condenser cannot be repaired and, if
faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - 3.7, 4.7 AND 5.7L ENGINES
WARNING: REVIEW THE WARNINGS AND CAU-
TIONS IN THE FRONT OF THIS SECTION BEFORE
PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION (Refer
to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
WARNING) and (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CON-
DITIONING/PLUMBING - CAUTION).
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant
system (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING - STANDARD PROCEDURE -
REFRIGERANT RECOVERY).
(3) Remove the nut that secures the discharge line
fitting to the condenser inlet port (Fig. 10).
(4) Disconnect the discharge line from the con-
denser.
(5) Remove the seal from the discharge line fitting
and discard.
(6) Install plugs in, or tape over the discharge line
fitting and condenser inlet port.
(7) Remove the plastic cover from the condenser
outlet stud.
(8) Remove the nut that secures the liquid line fit-
ting to the condenser outlet.
(9) Disconnect the liquid line from the condenser.
(10) Remove the seal from the liquid line fitting
and discard.
(11) Install plugs in, or tape over the liquid line
fitting and condenser outlet port.
(12) Disconnect the wire harness connector from
the condenser cooling fan motor (Fig. 11).
(13) Remove the two bolts that secure the con-
denser to the front upper crossmember.
(14) Remove the condenser/cooling fan assembly
from the vehicle.
(15) Place the condenser/cooling fan assembly on a
flat work area and remove the four screws that
secure the cooling fan to the condenser.
(16) Separate the cooling fan from the condenser.
DR