GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Variable Displacement Orifice Tube (VDOT)


Object Number: 640596  Size: SF
(1)Compressor
(2)Condenser
(3)Evaporator
(4)Accumulator
(5)Low Pressure Liquid
(6)Low Pressure Vapor
(7)High Pressure Liquid
(8)High Pressure Vapor
(9)Expansion (Orifice) Tube
(10)Liquid Line
(11)Pressure Relief Valve

The variable displacement orifice tube (VDOT) system consists of the following components:

    • A variable displacement compressor (1)
    • A fixed expansion tube (5)

This system matches the air conditioning demands under all conditions, without cycling. The basic compressor mechanism is a variable angle wobble-plate with 5 axially oriented cylinders. The center of control of the compressor displacement is a bellows-actuated control valve. The valve is located in the rear head of the compressor. The valve senses compressor suction pressure. The crankcase-suction pressure differential controls the following items:

    • The wobble-plate angle
    • The compressor displacement

When the A/C capacity demand is high, the suction pressure will be above the control point. The valve will maintain a bleed of discharge gas into the crankcase and close off a passage from the crankcase to the suction plenum. A force balance on the 5 pistons controls the angle of the wobble-plate. A slight elevation of the crankcase-suction pressure differential creates a total force on the pistons that results in a movement about the wobble-plate pivot pin. The movement reduces the plate angle.