SUBARU FORESTER 2004 Service Owner's Guide

AC-29
HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)
Refrigerant Charging Procedure
22) Set up the vehicle to the following status:
 A/C switch ON
 Engine running at 1,500 rpm
 Blower speed setting to “HI”
 Temperature setting to “MAX COOL”
 Air inlet setting to “RECIRC”
 Window open
23) Open the low-pressure valve and charge the
specified amount of refrigerant.
24) Close all valves and disconnect the hoses from
service port after charging the refrigerant.
25) Install the cap to service port.

AC-30
HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)
Refrigerant Leak Check
5. Refrigerant Leak Check
A: INSPECTION
1) Operate the A/C system for approx. 10 minutes,
and confirm that the high-pressure side shows at
least 690 kPa (7.03 kg/cm
2, 100 psi). Then stop the
engine to start the leak test.
2) Starting from the connection between the high-
pressure pipe and evaporator, check the system for
leaks along the high-pressure side through the
compressor. The following items must be checked
thoroughly.
3) Check the joint and seam between the pressure
switch (triple pressure switch) and high-pressure
pipe.
4) Check the connections between the condenser
and pipes, and welded joints on the condenser.
The leak tester may detect the oil on the condenser
fins as a leak.
5) Check the joint between the compressor and
hoses.
6) Check the machined area of compressor and
other joints on the compressor.
7) Check the compressor shaft seal at the area
near the center of compressor clutch pulley.
Some shaft seals show a slight amount of leakage
about 28 g (1.0 oz) per year. This is not a problem.
8) Starting from the connection between the low-
pressure pipe and evaporator, check the system for
leakage along the low-pressure side through the
compressor. The following items must be checked
thoroughly.
 Connection between two parts
 Connection between the pipe and plate
9) Visually check the rubber area of the flexible
hose for cracks.
Check the entire length of the flexible hose, espe-
cially the connection with the metal hose end.CAUTION:
Carefully check the external surface of hoses
and tubes at approx. 25 mm (0.98 in) per sec-
ond.
10) Disconnect the drain hose from the heater
case, and check the hose end for at least 10 sec-
onds.
After the test is finished, reconnect the drain hose.
11) Turn the ignition switch to ON, and run the
blower at high speed for 1 minute. Stop the blower
to check the ventilation grille on the instrument pan-
el. While moving the tester closer to the grille, run
the blower for 1 or 2 seconds, then stop it. Check
the grille at that point for at least 10 seconds.
12) Check the valve in the service port.
13) Visually check the rubber seal in the service
port cap.
AC-00035
(A) Flexible hose
AC-00036
(A)
AC-00037
AC-00038

AC-31
HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)
Compressor Oil
6. Compressor Oil
A: OPERATION
NOTE:
Before making repairs, conduct the oil return oper-
ation to return the compressor oil in circulation with
the refrigerant to the compressor.
1) Increase the engine speed to 1,500 rpm.
2) Turn ON the A/C switch.
3) Turn the temperature control dial to MAX COOL.
4) Set the air inlet select switch to RECIRC posi-
tion.
5) Turn the fan dial to HI.
6) Leave in this condition for 10 minutes.
B: REPLACEMENT
NOTE:
 If a component is replaced, add an appropriate
amount of compressor oil (same as the amount of
remaining oil in removed component).
 When replacing the compressor, the new com-
pressor will already have the specified amount of
oil in it. Install the new compressor after removing
the same amount of oil that is remaining in the com-
pressor removed.
Replacement parts Amount of oil replenishment
EvaporatorApprox. 50 cm
3
(1.7 US fl oz, 1.8 Imp fl oz)
CondenserApprox. 30 cm
3
(1.0 US fl oz, 1.1 Imp fl oz)
HoseApprox. 10 cm
3
(0.4 US fl oz, 0.4 Imp fl oz)
Receiver dryerApprox. 10 cm
3
(0.4 US fl oz, 0.4 Imp fl oz)

AC-32
HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)
Blower Motor Unit Assembly
7. Blower Motor Unit Assembly
A: REMOVAL
1) Disconnect the ground cable from battery.
2) Remove the glove box. AL, Glove Box.>
3) Loosen the nut to remove the support beam
stay.
4) Disconnect the connectors of blower motor and
intake actuator resistor.
5) Loosen the bolt and nut to remove blower motor
unit assembly.
B: INSTALLATION
Install in the reverse order of removal.
Tightening torque:
Refer to COMPONENT in General Descrip-
tion. COMPONENT, General Description.> AC-9, BLOWER MOTOR UNIT, COMPONENT,
General Description.>
C: INSPECTION
Inspection of Auto A/C Brush-less Motor
Operation
Connect the motor connector terminal 1 from the
battery to the positive (+) lead and terminal 2 and 5
at the same time to the negative (−) lead. Make
sure the motor runs smoothly.
AC-00218
AC-00219
AC-00220
AC-00244
22
55
1 1

AC-33
HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)
Blower Resistor (Manual A/C Model)
8. Blower Resistor (Manual A/C
Model)
A: REMOVAL
1) Remove the glove box. AL, Glove Box.>
2) Disconnect the blower resistor connector.
3) Remove the two screws to remove blower resis-
tor.
B: INSTALLATION
Install in the reverse order of removal.
C: INSPECTION
Measure the blower resistor resistance.
If NG, replace the blower resistor.
Terminal No. Standard
3 and 6 Approx. 0.4 Ω
3 and 4 Approx. 1.1 Ω
2 and 1 Approx. 2.6 Ω
AC-00221
AC-00245
MOHMHMLL
23 6
4 1
0.4 0.7 1.5
12 3
46

AC-34
HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)
Heater Core
9. Heater Core
A: REMOVAL
1) Remove the heater cooling unit. REMOVAL, Heater Cooling Unit.>
2) Remove the screws to remove the heater core
pipe cover (RHD model).
3) Remove the screws to remove mode actuator.
4) Remove the screws to remove foot duct.
5) Remove the screws to remove evaporator cover.6) Remove the screws to remove lower case.
7) Remove the heater core.
B: INSTALLATION
Install in the reverse order of removal.
AC-00042
AC-00043
AC-00044
AC-00867
AC-00046
AC-00047

AC-35
HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)
Control Unit
10.Control Unit
A: REMOVAL
1) Disconnect the ground cable from battery.
2) In case of manual A/C, remove the mode cable
and air-mix cable from links of heater unit.
3) Remove the console front cover.
4) Apply the thick protective tape (A) to instrument
panel pad to protect the surface of it.
NOTE:
Also apply the protective tape to the deep inside
portion between center console panel and instru-
ment panel pad.
5) Loosen the screws.6) Insert the flat tip screwdriver to the position (A)
and release the claw with pulling out the lower por-
tion of center console panel.
CAUTION:
Do not insert the flat tip screwdriver into any
portion except for indicated in the figure.The in-
strument panel may be damaged.
7) Remove the four screws on rear side of center
console panel, and then remove the control unit.
B: INSTALLATION
Install in the reverse order of removal.
(A) Hook
(A) Screw
(B) Clip
(C) Claw
(A)
(A)
EI-00726
(A)
(A)
(A)
EI-00731
(A)
EI-00728
(C)
(A)(A)(C)
(B)
(A) Inserting position of flat tip screwdriver
EI-00732
(A) (A)

AC-36
HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)
Compressor
11.Compressor
A: INSPECTION
1. MAGNETIC CLUTCH CLEARANCE
1) Check the clearance of the entire circumference
around the drive plate and pulley.
Standard:
0.3 — 0.6 mm (0.0118 — 0.0236 in)
2. MAGNETIC CLUTCH OPERATION
1) Disconnect the compressor connector.
2) Connect the battery positive (+) terminal to the
No. 3 terminal of the compressor connector.
3) Make sure the magnet clutch engages.
If NG, replace the compressor.
B: REMOVAL
1) Perform the compressor oil return operation.

2) Turn the A/C switch OFF and stop the engine.
3) Using the refrigerant recovery system, discharge
refrigerant. ant Recovery Procedure.>
4) Disconnect the ground cable from battery.
5) Remove the V-belt. MOVAL, V-belt.> MOVAL, V-belt.>
6) Remove the generator. REMOVAL, Generator.>
7) Remove the low-pressure hose and high-pres-
sure hose.
8) Disconnect the compressor harness from body
harness.9) Remove the bolts to remove compressor brack-
et.
10) Remove the bolts and then separate compres-
sor and bracket.
C: INSTALLATION
1) Install in the reverse order of removal.
2) Replace the O-rings on low-/high-pressure hos-
es with new ones, then apply compressor oil.
3) When replacing compressor, adjust amount of
compressor oil. Compressor Oil.>
4) Charge refrigerant. TION, Refrigerant Charging Procedure.>
Tightening torque:
Refer to COMPONENT in General Descrip-
tion. UNIT, COMPONENT, General Description.>
NENT, General Description.>
AC-00048
AC-00049
AC-00336
AC-00051

AC-37
HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)
Condenser
12.Condenser
A: REMOVAL
1) Using the refrigerant recovery system, discharge
refrigerant. ant Recovery Procedure.>
2) Disconnect the ground cable from battery.
3) Disconnect the pressure hose and pipe from
condenser.
4) Remove the radiator bracket (A).
5) Remove the two bolts. While lifting the condens-
er, pull it out through the space between radiator
and radiator panel.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage the radiator fins and
condenser fins. If a damaged fin is found, repair
it using a thin screwdriver.
If the condenser is replaced, add appropriate
amount of compressor oil to the compressor.
Oil.>
B: INSTALLATION
1) Install in the reverse order of removal.
CAUTION:
Replace the O-rings on hoses or pipes with new
ones, and then apply compressor oil. Confirm
that lower guide of condenser has been fitted
into holes on radiator panel.
2) Charge refrigerant. TION, Refrigerant Charging Procedure.>
Tightening torque:
Refer to COMPONENT in General Descrip-
tion.
COMPONENT, General Description.>
ATOR FAN, COMPONENT, General Descrip-
tion.>
C: INSPECTION
1) Check that no dust or insects are found on the
condenser fins. Air-blow or flush fins with water as
needed.
2) Check that no oil leaks from condenser. If a fail-
ure is found, replace the condenser with a new one.
AC-00246
AC-00053(A)
AC-00091
AC-00092

AC-38
HVAC SYSTEM (HEATER, VENTILATOR AND A/C)
Condenser (Sub Fan)
13.Condenser (Sub Fan)
A: REMOVAL
Fan and Fan Motor.>
B: INSTALLATION
Main Fan and Fan Motor.>