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/InstallationLighting System Personalization
A personalization function has been adopted with which settings for each
function can be changed.
The following settings for the auto light system and interior light control
system can be changed as desired.
There are two types of customization procedures; one using the M ...
Front Door Key Cylinder Removal/Installation
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable..
2. Remove the service hole cover.
3. Detach the screw from the front door key cylinder.
NOTE:
The screw cannot be removed because the front outer handle bracket has a
stopper which prevents the screw from falling.
4. While pre ...
Shift Lock System Inspection
Shift-Lock System Inspection
1. Switch the ignition ON (engine off).
2. Shift the selector lever to the P position.
3. Verify that the selector lever cannot be shifted from P to R position when
the brake pedal is released.
If it can be verified, go to the next step.
If not as ...