refrigerant type DODGE RAM 2003 Service User Guide

NOTE: If the condenser is replaced, add 30 millili-
ters (1 fluid ounce) of refrigerant oil to the refriger-
ant system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type
recommended for the compressor in the vehicle(Re-
fer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMB-
ING/REFRIGERANT OIL - DESCRIPTION).
(8) Charge the a/c system(Refer to 24 - HEATING
& AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
(9) Install the battery negative cable.
A/C CONDENSER FAN
REMOVAL - CONDENSER FAN (GAS ENGINE
ONLY - 3.7, 4.7 & 5.7L)
(1) Remove and isolate negative battery cable.
(2) Remove condenser assembly(Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/A/C
CONDENSER - REMOVAL).
(3) Place condenser assembly on a flat work area
and remove screws holding fan assembly to con-
denser.
(4) Separate fan assembly from condenser noting
location of all seals for reinstallation.
INSTALLATION - CONDENSER FAN (GAS
ENGINE ONLY - 3.7, 4.7 & 5.7L)
(1) Position fan assembly on to the condenser.
(2) Check all fan shroud seals and replace as
required then install retainer screws to hold fan
assembly to condenser.
(3) Install condenser and fan assembly to vehi-
cle(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
PLUMBING/A/C CONDENSER - INSTALLATION).
(4) Install battery negative cable.
A/C DISCHARGE LINE
REMOVAL
REMOVAL
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) (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - CAUTION)
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant
system. (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-TIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD PROCEDURE -
REFRIGERANT RECOVERY)
(3) Unplug the wire harness connector from the
high pressure transducer.
(4) Disconnect the discharge line refrigerant line
fitting from the condenser inlet tube (Fig. 9). (Refer
to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMB-
ING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - A/C LINE COU-
PLERS) Install plugs in, or tape over all of the
opened refrigerant line fittings.
(5) Disconnect the connection that secures the suc-
tion line fitting to the accumulator outlet. Install
plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant
line fittings.
(6) Remove the screw that secures the suction and
discharge line manifold to the compressor. Install
plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant
line fittings.
(7) Remove the suction and discharge line assem-
bly from the vehicle.REMOVAL - 5.9L DIESEL ENGINE
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) (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - CAUTION)
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
Fig. 9 A/C Discharge Line
1 - Discharge Line Retainer Nut
2 - Front Upper Cross Brace
3 - Condensor Module Port
4 - Suction and Discharge Line Retainer Screw
5 - Suction Line
6 - A/C Compressor
7 - High Pressure Transducer Connector
8 - Discharge Line
DRPLUMBING 24 - 43
A/C CONDENSER (Continued)

INSTALLATION
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) (Refer to 24 - HEATING &
AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - CAUTION)(Refer to
24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
CAUTION - REFRIGERANT HOSES/LINES/TUBES
PRECAUTIONS)
(1) Install the accumulator to the bulkhead but do
not tighten yet.
(2) Remove the tape or plugs from the refrigerant
line fittings on the accumulator inlet and the evapo-
rator outlet. Connect the accumulator inlet refriger-
ant line coupler to the evaporator outlet. (Refer to 24
- HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - A/C LINE COUPLERS)
(3) Remove the tape or plugs from the refrigerant
line fittings on the suction line and the accumulator
outlet. Connect the suction line refrigerant line cou-
pler to the accumulator outlet. (Refer to 24 - HEAT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - A/C LINE COUPLERS)
(4) Tighten the accumulator fasteners to 4.5 N´m
(40 in. lbs.).
(5) Connect the battery negative cable.
(6) Evacuate the refrigerant system. (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYS-
TEM EVACUATE)
(7) Charge the refrigerant system. (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING -
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYS-
TEM CHARGE)
NOTE: If the accumulator is replaced, add 60 milli-
liters (2 fluid ounces) of refrigerant oil to the refrig-
erant system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type
recommended for the compressor in the vehicle.
HEATER CORE
DESCRIPTION
The heater core is located in the HVAC housing,
under the instrument panel. It is a heat exchanger
made of rows of tubes and fins.
The heater core is not repairable and if damaged it
must be replaced.
OPERATION
Engine coolant is circulated through heater hoses
to the heater core at all times. As the coolant flowsthrough the heater core, heat removed from the
engine is transferred to the heater core fins and
tubes. Air directed through the heater core picks up
the heat from the heater core fins. The blend door
allows control of the heater output air temperature
by controlling how much of the air flowing through
the HVAC housing is directed through the heater
core. The blower motor speed controls the volume of
air flowing through the HVAC housing.
The heater core cannot be repaired and, if faulty or
damaged, it must be replaced.
REMOVAL
NOTE: Disassembly of the HVAC housing is not
required to remove heater core.
(1) Remove the HVAC housing from the vehicle.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
DISTRIBUTION/HVAC HOUSING - REMOVAL)
(2) Remove the screws and retainers that secure
the heater core to the HVAC housing.
(3) Lift the heater core out of the heater-A/C hous-
ing.
(4) Inspect all seals and repair or replace as
required.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place the heater core into the HVAC housing.
(2) Snap the retainers for the heater core to the
housing. Install and tighten the screws that secure
the heater core to the HVAC housing (if equipped).
Tighten the screws to 2.2 N´m (20 in. lbs.).
(3) Reinstall the HVAC housing in the vehicle.
(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/
DISTRIBUTION/HVAC HOUSING - INSTALLA-
TION)
REFRIGERANT
DESCRIPTION
The refrigerant used in this air conditioning sys-
tem is a HydroFluoroCarbon (HFC), type R-134a.
Unlike R-12, which is a ChloroFluoroCarbon (CFC),
R-134a refrigerant does not contain ozone-depleting
chlorine. R-134a refrigerant is a non-toxic, non-flam-
mable, clear, and colorless liquefied gas.
Even though R-134a does not contain chlorine, it
must be reclaimed and recycled just like CFC-type
refrigerants. This is because R-134a is a greenhouse
gas and can contribute to global warming.
OPERATION
R-134a refrigerant is not compatible with R-12
refrigerant in an air conditioning system. Even a
24 - 50 PLUMBINGDR
ACCUMULATOR (Continued)

air and boil the moisture out of the system at near
room temperature. To evacuate the refrigerant sys-
tem, use the following procedure:
(1) Connect a R-134a refrigerant recovery/recy-
cling/charging station that meets SAE Standard
J2210 and a manifold gauge set (if required) to the
refrigerant system of the vehicle and recover refrig-
erant.
(2) Open the low and high side valves and start
the charging station vacuum pump. When the suc-
tion gauge reads 88 kPa (26 in. Hg.) vacuum or
greater, close all of the valves and turn off the vac-
uum pump.
(a) If the refrigerant system fails to reach the
specified vacuum, the system has a leak that must
be corrected. See Refrigerant System Leaks in the
Diagnosis and Testing section of this group for the
procedures.
(b) If the refrigerant system maintains the spec-
ified vacuum for five minutes, restart the vacuum
pump, open the suction and discharge valves and
evacuate the system for an additional ten minutes.
(3) Close all of the valves, and turn off the charg-
ing station vacuum pump.
(4) The refrigerant system is now ready to be
charged with R-134a refrigerant(Refer to 24 - HEAT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/REFRIG-
ERANT - STANDARD PROCEDURE).
STANDARD PROCEDURE- REFRIGERANT
RECOVERY
WARNING: (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-
TIONING/PLUMBING - WARNING) AND (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - CAU-
TION) BEFORE PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING
OPERATION.
A R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging
station that meets SAE Standard J2210 must be
used to recover the refrigerant from an R-134a refrig-
erant system. Refer to the operating instructions sup-
plied by the equipment manufacturer for the proper
care and use of this equipment.
STANDARD PROCEDURE- REFRIGERANT
SYSTEM CHARGE
WARNING: (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-
TIONING/PLUMBING - WARNING) AND (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - CAU-
TION) BEFORE PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING
OPERATION.
After the refrigerant system has been tested for
leaks and evacuated, a refrigerant charge can beinjected into the system. See Refrigerant Charge
Capacity in the Service Procedures section of this
group for the proper amount of the refrigerant
charge, this fill level can also be found on a label
attached under the hood of the vehicle..
A R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging
station that meets SAE Standard J2210 must be
used to charge the refrigerant system with R-134a
refrigerant. Refer to the operating instructions sup-
plied by the equipment manufacturer for the proper
care and use of this equipment.
The R-134a refrigerant system charge capacity for
this vehicle is:
²If equipped with a 3.7L or a 4.7L engine charge
to 0.6804 Kg. (24 oz.).
²If equipped with a 5.9L engine charge to 0.7371
Kg. ( 26 oz.).
REFRIGERANT LINE COUPLER
DESCRIPTION
Spring-lock type refrigerant line couplers are used
to connect many of the refrigerant lines and other
components to the refrigerant system. These couplers
require a special tool for disengaging the two coupler
halves.
OPERATION
The spring-lock coupler is held together by a garter
spring inside a circular cage on the male half of the
fitting (Fig. 16). When the two coupler halves are
connected, the flared end of the female fitting slips
behind the garter spring inside the cage on the male
fitting. The garter spring and cage prevent the flared
end of the female fitting from pulling out of the cage.
Three O-rings on the male half of the fitting are
used to seal the connection. These O-rings are com-
patible with R-134a refrigerant and must be replaced
with O-rings made of the same material.
Secondary clips are installed over the two con-
nected coupler halves at the factory for added blowoff
protection.
REMOVAL
WARNING: (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-
TIONING/PLUMBING - WARNING) (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - CAU-
TION) BEFORE PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING
OPERATION.
(1) Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant
system(Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITION-
ING/PLUMBING/REFRIGERANT - STANDARD
PROCEDURE).
24 - 52 PLUMBINGDR
REFRIGERANT (Continued)

(2) Remove the secondary clip from the spring-lock
coupler.
(3) Fit the proper size A/C line disconnect tool
(Special Tool Kit 7193 or equivalent) over the spring-
lock coupler cage (Fig. 17).
(4) Close the two halves of the A/C line disconnect
tool around the spring-lock coupler.
(5) Push the A/C line disconnect tool into the open
side of the coupler cage to expand the garter spring.Once the garter spring is expanded and while still
pushing the disconnect tool into the open side of the
coupler cage, pull on the refrigerant line attached to
the female half of the coupler fitting until the flange
on the female fitting is separated from the garter
spring and cage on the male fitting within the dis-
connect tool.
NOTE: The garter spring may not release if the A/C
line disconnect tool is cocked while pushing it into
the coupler cage opening.
(6) Open and remove the A/C line disconnect tool
from the disconnected spring-lock coupler.
(7) Complete the separation of the two halves of
the coupler fitting. Inspect the O-ring seals and mat-
ing areas for damage.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: (Refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDI-
TIONING/PLUMBING - WARNING) AND (Refer to 24 -
HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - CAU-
TION) BEFORE PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING
OPERATION.
(1) Check to ensure that the garter spring is
located within the cage of the male coupler fitting,
and that the garter spring is not damaged.
(a) If the garter spring is missing, install a new
spring by pushing it into the coupler cage opening.
(b) If the garter spring is damaged, remove it
from the coupler cage with a small wire hook (DO
NOT use a screwdriver) and install a new garter
spring.
(2) Clean any dirt or foreign material from both
halves of the coupler fitting.
(3) Install new O-rings on the male half of the cou-
pler fitting.
CAUTION: Use only the specified O-rings as they
are made of a special material for the R-134a sys-
tem. The use of any other O-rings may allow the
connection to leak intermittently during vehicle
operation.
(4) Lubricate the male fitting and O-rings, and the
inside of the female fitting with clean R-134a refrig-
erant oil. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recom-
mended for the compressor in the vehicle.
(5) Fit the female half of the coupler fitting over
the male half of the fitting.
(6) Push together firmly on the two halves of the
coupler fitting until the garter spring in the cage on
the male half of the fitting snaps over the flanged
end on the female half of the fitting.
Fig. 16 Spring-Lock Coupler - Typical
1 - MALE HALF SPRING-LOCK COUPLER
2 - FEMALE HALF SPRING-LOCK COUPLER
3 - SECONDARY CLIP
4 - CONNECTION INDICATOR RING
5 - COUPLER CAGE
6 - GARTER SPRING
7 - COUPLER CAGE
8 - ªOº RINGS
Fig. 17 Refrigerant Line Spring-Lock Coupler
Disconnect
DRPLUMBING 24 - 53
REFRIGERANT LINE COUPLER (Continued)

(7) Ensure that the spring-lock coupler is fully
engaged by trying to separate the two coupler halves.
This is done by pulling the refrigerant lines on either
side of the coupler away from each other.
(8) Reinstall the secondary clip over the spring-
lock coupler cage.
REFRIGERANT OIL
DESCRIPTION
The refrigerant oil used in R-134a refrigerant sys-
tems is a synthetic-based, PolyAlkylene Glycol (PAG),
wax-free lubricant. Mineral-based R-12 refrigerant
oils are not compatible with PAG oils, and should
never be introduced to an R-134a refrigerant system.
There are different PAG oils available, and each
contains a different additive package. The SD±7 com-
pressor used in this vehicle is designed to use an
SP-15 PAG refrigerant oil. Use only refrigerant oil of
this same type to service the refrigerant system.
OPERATION
After performing any refrigerant recovery or recy-
cling operation, always replenish the refrigerant sys-
tem with the same amount of the recommended
refrigerant oil as was removed. Too little refrigerant
oil can cause compressor damage, and too much can
reduce air conditioning system performance.
PAG refrigerant oil is much more hygroscopic than
mineral oil, and will absorb any moisture it comes
into contact with, even moisture in the air. The PAG
oil container should always be kept tightly capped
until it is ready to be used. After use, recap the oil
container immediately to prevent moisture contami-
nation.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT OIL
LEVEL
When an air conditioning system is assembled at
the factory, all components except the compressor are
refrigerant oil free. After the refrigerant system hasbeen charged and operated, the refrigerant oil in the
compressor is dispersed throughout the refrigerant
system. The accumulator, evaporator, condenser, and
compressor will each retain a significant amount of
the needed refrigerant oil.
It is important to have the correct amount of oil in
the refrigerant system. This ensures proper lubrica-
tion of the compressor. Too little oil will result in
damage to the compressor. Too much oil will reduce
the cooling capacity of the air conditioning system.
It will not be necessary to check the oil level in the
compressor or to add oil, unless there has been an oil
loss. An oil loss may occur due to a rupture or leak
from a refrigerant line, a connector fitting, a compo-
nent, or a component seal. If a leak occurs, add 30
milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of refrigerant oil to the
refrigerant system after the repair has been made.
Refrigerant oil loss will be evident at the leak point
by the presence of a wet, shiny surface around the
leak.
Refrigerant oil must be added when a accumulator,
evaporator coil or condenser are replaced. See the
Refrigerant Oil Capacities chart. When a compressor
is replaced, the refrigerant oil must be drained from
the old compressor and measured. Drain all of the
refrigerant oil from the new compressor, then fill the
new compressor with the same amount of refrigerant
oil that was drained out of the old compressor.
Refrigerant Oil Capacities
Component ml fl oz
Complete A/C System 180 6
Accumulator 60 2
Condenser 30 1
Evaporator 60 2
Compressordrain and measure
the oil from the old
compressor - see
text.
24 - 54 PLUMBINGDR
REFRIGERANT LINE COUPLER (Continued)