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View Full Version : 96 dodge dakota a/c expansion valve


cynthia656
Jul 9, 2011, 11:13 AM
Where is the expansion valve? I have the dash nearly all the way out, still can't find it.
Please help

TxGreaseMonkey
Jul 9, 2011, 12:29 PM
Don't you mean orifice tube? Foreign vehicles primarily have thermostatic expansion valves (TXV). The orifice tube may be located in the high pressure inlet tube to the evaporator, or in the liquid line, somewhere between the outlet of the condenser and the inlet of the evaporator coil. I'd look around the front right wheel well. TXVs are usually located along the firewall, close to the evaporator coil.

CaptainRich
Jul 12, 2011, 05:36 AM
From alldata:
The fixed orifice tube is located in the outlet line of the condenser. It has filter screens on the inlet and outlet ends of the tube body. The filter screens act as a strainer for the liquid refrigerant flowing through the fixed orifice opening. 0-rings, on the tube body, prevent the high pressure liquid refrigerant from bypassing the orifice. Adjustments cannot be made to the fixed orifice tube. If it becomes clogged or damaged, replace the fixed orifice tube.

The fixed orifice tube assembly is the restriction between the high and low pressure liquid refrigerant. It meters the flow of liquid refrigerant into the evaporator core. Minimum evaporator temperature is controlled by sensing the pressure within the evaporator with a pressure-operated electric cycling clutch switch. The pressure switch controls compressor operation as necessary to prevent evaporator freeze-up.

The fixed orifice tube should be replaced whenever a compressor is replaced for lack of performance (internal damage).