Kia Carens. Instruction — part 311

2001 > 1.8L DOHC >

ELECTRICAL TROUBLESHOOTING TOOLS

1. Jumper wire

The jumper wire is used for testing by short-circuiting switch terminals and to verify condition of ground
connections.

Do not connect jumper wire between a power source and a body ground. This may cause burning or
other damage to harnesses and electronic components.

2. Voltmeter

The DC voltmeter a range of 15V or more must be used.
If is used by connecting positive (+) probe (red lead) to point where voltage is to be measured and
connecting negative (-) probe (black lead) to a body ground.

3. Ohmmeter

Ohmmeter is used measure resistance two points in a circuit, to check for continuity, and to diagnose short
circuits.

Never connect ohmmeter to any circuit to which voltage is applied. Doing so may burn or otherwise
damage ohmmeter.

4. Test light

The test as shown light as shown in figure uses a 12V bulb. Two leads should be connected to probes. Test
light is used for simple voltage checks and to check for open circuit.

When checking control unit never use a bulb over 3.4W.

2001 > 1.8L DOHC >

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

Air conditioning (A/C) system

The A/C system uses principals of thermodynamics to cool passenger compartment of vehicle. Using engine
power, compressor compresses gaseous refrigerant into high temperature/high pressure gas. If then pumps
this gas into a condenser unit built onto vehicle’s radiator.
Condenser cools gas, changing it into high pressure, low temperature liquid refrigerant. . Liquid then goes to
receiver/drier, which first removes any liquid water and then sends liquid to an evaporator in heater unit inside
passenger compartment. Evaporator then uses passenger compartment temperature to turn liquid back into a
gas, extracting heat from passenger compartment.
Gas is then sent back to compressor, and cycle begins again.

A/C relay

A/C relay is an electrical switching box that closes circuit to condenser fan relay and compressor clutch. Relay
is controlled by engine control module (ECM) only. If engine coolant exceeds a certain temperature, engine
control module (ECM)sends a signal triggering A/C relay and shutting off A/C system.
At starting or lighten acceleration, engine control module (ECM) sends a signal triggering A/C relay and
shutting off A/C system for five seconds. It is a replaceable item.

Blower

The blower draws in hot passenger compartment air and sends it through evaporator coil. It consists of a
blower fan and an electric motor.

Blower motor

Blower motor speed is controlled by blower switch and a resistor assembly in blower unit. When blower switch
is in OFF position, motor ground circuit is open and blower motor does not operate. When switch is in first (LO)
position, current flow to blower motor is restricted by three resistors in resistor assembly, and blower motor
turns at a low speed. Changing blower switch to second (M1), third (M2), or fourth (HI) positions causes
successive decreases of circuit resistance, resulting in blower motor speed becoming correspondingly faster.

Compressor assembly

The compressor assembly is primary moving part of air conditioning system. If it fails, there is no compression
of refrigerant, and no movement of refrigerant through system. It is located on left side of engine and is
connected to enginecrankshaft by a drive belt. It consists of compressor, manifold assembly, compressor
clutch, and drive pulley.

Compressor clutch

The compressor clutch engages compressor. It is a magnetic unit operated from air conditioning switch in
passenger compartment. It is a serviceable, replaceable item.

Condenser

The condenser is mounted in front of radiator. It consists of a series of coils which cool refrigerant. It is a
serviceable and replaceable item.

Condenser fan

The condenser fan improves air flow through condenser. Condenser will still have a high volume of air flowing
through iteven if vehicle is standing still. It is powered by an electric motor connected to condenser fan relay.
Condenser fan relay is an electrical switching box that closes circuit to condenser fan

Evaporator assembly

The blower/evaporator assembly houses blower fan, blower motor, and A/C relay for air conditioner system. It
consists of evaporator core and expansion valve.

Evaportor core

The evaporator core is an air cooler and a dehumidifier.

As refrigerant enters, it boils, absorbing heat from air beingbing lown through core by heater blower motor. This
cools air, which is then directed to passengers through air ducts. As air is cooled, moisture in air condenses on
core and is drained off. Result is cold, dry air. Evaporator core is a serviceable, replaceable item.

Expansion valve

The expansion valve allows high pressure liquid to expand as it enters evaporator. By allowing liquid to expand,
it willabsorb more heat in evaporator. Valve also meters amount of refrigerant entering system to prevent
evaporator core fromflooding.

Fresh/Recirculation actuator

When fresh/recircuitation switch in heater and A/C control panel is pushed, motor in fresh/recirculation actautor
assembly move and its position is not fed bacl to fresh/recirculation switch.
When desired air fresh/recitculation door position is reached, motor stops.

Heater

Dehumidified air is reheated as it passes through heater core in heater unit. Heater is warmed by engine
coolant passing through tubes of heater core. Heat is transferred to core fins and passed off to air flowing past
fins.
Position of air temperature valve in air conditioning module determines how much of total airflow is permitted to
pass through heater. This determines warmth of overall air flow that is sent into passenger compartment.

Hoses and lines

Hoses and lines carry refrigerant between major components of A/C system. Lines are made of metal and are
rigid. Hoses are made of flexible rubber and are designed for either high or low pressure. They are replaceable
items.

Receiver/Drier

The receiver/drier is located at front power steering oil tank. It receives liquid refrigerant from condenser,
removes any water in it, and then sends refrigerant to evaporator. It is a replaceable item.

Service ports

Service ports allow injection or recovery of refrigerant to A/C system. High-pressure service port is mounted in
high pressure line coming from receiver/drier. Low-pressure service port is in section of flexible hose that
connects evaporator return line to compressor.

Refrigerant

- Refrigerant 134a (R-134a) systems

In an effort to avoid use of ozone-depleting CFC refrigerants, Kia Motor Company has introduced a new
refrigerant system for this vehicle. This system uses non-CFC-based refrigerant R-134a.
This new type of refrigerant has many of same properties as R-12 and is similar in form and function.
R-134a is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-based refrigerant, however, R-12 is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). With
no chlorine atoms in its molecular structure, use of R-134a refrigerant will not have any harmful effects on
atmosphere's ozone layer.

- Identifying R-134a and R-12 A/C systems

To determine which types of A/C system a particular vehicle has, inspect A/C system's major components
and refrigerant lines for special tags. If system has yellow R-134a "NON-CFC" tags, it is an R-134a system
and uses R-134a refrigerant. If there are no special R-134a "NON-CFC" tags on A/C system components or
lines, system uses R-12. R-134a systems canalso be identified by brown-colored O-rings (HNBR) used
throughout A/C system.

• Do not add R-12 refrigerant to an A/C system that requires use of R-134a refrigerant. Do not add

R-134a refrigerant to an A/C system that requires use of R-12 refrigerant. These two types of
refrigerant should never be mixed. Doing so may cause damage to A/C system.

• R-12 and R-134a components are not interchangeable. Do not replace components from an