Chrysler 2005 Crossfire SRT6 Service Manual page 4199

24 - 70 HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING - SERVICE INFORMATION ZH
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
A/C PERFORMANCE
The Air Conditioning System is designed to provide the passenger compartment with low temperature and low
humidity air. The Evaporator (6), located in the HVAC housing behind the Instrument Panel, is cooled to tempera-
tures near the freezing point. As warm damp air passes through the cooled Evaporator (6), the air transfers its heat
to the refrigerant in the Evaporator (6) and the moisture in the air condenses on the Evaporator fins.
Humidity has an important bearing on the temperature of the air delivered to the interior of the vehicle. It is impor-
tant to understand the effect that humidity has on the performance of the Air Conditioning System. When humidity
is high, the evaporator has to perform a double duty. It must lower the air temperature, and it must lower the tem-
perature of the moisture in the air that condenses on the evaporator fins. Condensing the moisture in the air trans-
fers heat energy into the Evaporator fins and tubing. This reduces the amount of heat the Evaporator can absorb
from the air. High humidity greatly reduces the ability of the Evaporator to lower the temperature of the air.
However, Evaporator capacity used to reduce the amount of moisture in the air is not wasted. Wringing some of the
moisture out of the air entering the vehicle adds to the comfort of the passengers. Although, an owner may expect
too much from their Air Conditioning System on humid days. A performance test is the best way to determine
whether the system is performing up to standard. This test also provides valuable clues as to the possible cause of
trouble with the Air Conditioning System.
The air temperature in the test room and in the vehicle must be a minimum of 21° C (70° F) for this test.