Purpose
The expansion valve atomizes liquid refrigerant to facilitate cooling of the evaporator.
Function
The expansion valve reduces the pressure of liquid refrigerant rapidly to facilitate vaporization of the atomized refrigerant at the evaporator, and adjusts the refrigerant amount sent into the evaporator.
Construction
The expansion valve consists of the following parts:
Diaphragm
Temperature sensor
Shaft
Expansion valve body
Ball valve
Spring

Operation
Adjustment of the refrigerant amount supplied to the evaporator is performed by the ball valve opening angle in the expansion valve.
The opening angle adjustment is performed according to the balance of the following forces:

Refrigerant pressure (Pd) in diaphragm
Refrigerant gas pressure (PI) of evaporator under diaphragm
Spring force (Fs) pushing up ball valve
If the refrigerant gas temperature from the evaporator increases, the expansion valve increases the amount of refrigerant according to the following operations:

The temperature of the temperature sensor tightly sealed against the diaphragm increases.
The refrigerant in the diaphragm warms and the Pd increases.
If this Pd increases more than PI + Fs, the diaphragm is pressed down.
The shaft installed to the temperature sensor end presses down the ball valve.
The amount of refrigerant is increased.
If the refrigerant gas temperature from the evaporator decreases, the expansion valve decreases the amount of refrigerant flow according to the following operation:

The temperature of the temperature sensor tightly sealed against the diaphragm decreases.
The refrigerant temperature in the diaphragm decreases and the Pd decreases.
The Pd decreases less than PI + Fs.
The ball valve installed to the temperature sensor end is pressed up.
The amount of refrigerant is decreased.
Fail-safe
Function not equipped.
Evaporator Inspection
Expansion Valve Removal/InstallationVanity Mirror Illumination Inspection
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable..
2. Remove the sunvisor..
3. Verify that the continuity between the vanity mirror illumination terminals
is as indicated in the table.
If not as indicated in the table, replace the sunvisor.
...
Interior Care
WARNING
Do not spray water in the cabin:
Splashing water on electrical parts such as the audio unit and switches is dangerous
as it could cause a malfunction or a fire.
Dashboard Precautions
Prevent caustic solutions such as perfume and cosmetic oils from contacting the
dashboard. They will ...
Front Sash Molding Removal
WARNING:
Using a utility knife with bare hands can cause injury. Always wear gloves
when using a utility knife.
1. Using a utility knife, carefully remove the double-sided adhesive tape in
the locations shown below.
CAUTION:
When removing the double-sided adhesive tape, ...