Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

Railroader on Sat July 18, 2015 3:08 PM

Year: 1996
Make: Chevy
Model: Corsica
Engine Size: 3.1

Where is the expansion valve located and what is the level of difficulty to replace it? Thanks

GM Tech on Sat July 18, 2015 9:06 PM

At entrance to evaporator- under dash passenger side- remove drain pan 13 (5.5mm) screws to access- can be changed without removing evaporator. If you don't like laying on your stomach to work- then it's not for you.

What are your symptoms and why do you think the expansion valve is bad-- could easily be a control valve in compressor issue as well.....

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The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

Railroader on Sun July 19, 2015 12:29 AM

No problem that I know of, I have to replace the compressor because the seals are leaking, and driver /receiver and I thought I might also have to replace the expansion valve, but if this is not necessary, I sure don't want to do it. Thanks

Edited: Sun July 19, 2015 at 12:34 AM by Railroader

GM Tech on Sun July 19, 2015 8:31 AM

If it ain't broke, don't fix it- Compressor seals are noted for leaking- TXV should be fine- Compressor failure mode was leak- not imploded- so there should be no debris concerns-

Good Luck

-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

Railroader on Wed July 22, 2015 6:38 PM

Since the new compressor did not come with a HP switch, should I get a new one, I don't remember if the one in the old compressor worked OK or not? yeah, it's Chinese junk, this is my son's car, and money is in short supply at my house. If I remember correctly, this car used pag 150 oil. Thanks

Edited: Wed July 22, 2015 at 6:41 PM by Railroader

GM Tech on Wed July 22, 2015 10:20 PM

It only works as a relief- if pressure should go too high as in a cooling fan inop-- it is normally closed, so it will need to be plugged in to run the compressor-- I could have sworn a '96 used pressure transducer upside down by radiator top instead of a HPCO switch

-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......

Railroader on Thu July 23, 2015 12:57 PM

In my case, Sometimes a little knowledge is dangerous, I saw a GM service bulletin 02-01-39-004B, that stated to use pag 46 oil instead of 150, should I use pag 46 or 150. I also want to thank you for your input.

GM Tech on Thu July 23, 2015 1:57 PM

150 is standard for a V-5 compressor

-------------------------
The number one A/C diagnostic tool there is- is to know how much refrigerant is in the system- this can only be done by recovering and weighing the refrigerant!!
Just a thought.... 65% of A/C failures in my 3200 car diagnostic database (GM vehicles) are due to loss of refrigerant due to a leak......