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/InstallationRear Seat Center Armrest Removal/Installation
1. Operate the push knob (RH) and lower the rear seat back (RH).
2. Remove screw A.
3. Remove the rear seat center armrest hinge cover (RH) in the direction of the
arrow (1) shown in the figure while setting hook A aside.
4. Remove bolt B.
5. Remove the rear seat center armrest in ...
High Mount Brake Light
Purpose
The high-mount brake light signals vehicles to the rear that the vehicle
is stopped.
Function
The high-mount brake light illuminates in conjunction with the operation
of the brake light switch.
Construction
The high-mount brake light is positioned on th ...
Down Switch [Fw6 A EL, Fw6 Ax EL]
Purpose/Function
The down switch detects the shift down operation of the selector lever.
The down switch signal is sent to the TCM via CAN and is used for manual
shift control and engine-transaxle integration control.
Construction
The down switch is installed to the se ...