AC Inoperative Due To Low Refrigerant Charge - keywords air condition expansion evaporator hose HVAC inoperative leak line seal thermal TXV valve warm

This PI was superseded to update Recommendation/Instructions. Please discard PIT4379.

The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

The Air Conditioner (AC) is inoperative or blows warm air. This can be caused by a low state of refrigerant charge. If a low state of charge is found, check for leaks at the front Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV).

If a leak is found at the front Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV), do not replace the Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV) or Evaporator. It will be necessary to replace the 4 seals at the TXV (2 on back side of TXV at evaporator core fittings and 2 on front side at condenser tube and evaporator hose connections). Do not lubricate the new seals. Follow the instructions in SI for Thermal Expansion Valve Replacement.

Note: It is very important to make sure the TXV mounting surface is clean and free of any debris, lint or any oils prior to reinstalling the TXV. It is also very important to make sure to properly torque the bolts for the TXV. The torque specifications are as follows.

1. The 2 bolts that attach the TXV to the evaporator 5 N·m (44 lb in).
2. The nut the attaches the lines to the TXV 20 N·m (15 lb ft).

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.