OEM 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser A/C Condenser

2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser A/C Condenser Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Replace a Faulty A/C Condenser in a Cooling System on 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser?

  A: A front-placed condenser in the cooling module needs to be replaced if found damaged or defective, because it cannot be fixed. On each end of the cooling module, the air seal is fastened to the condenser with plastic mounting rods and button lock fasteners which cannot be used multiple times; six replacement fasteners are sent with every condenser. Before you get rid of the condenser, remove the refrigerant from the refrigerant system and then take off the negative battery cable. Separate the nut that joins the discharge line fitting to the condenser inlet fitting, remove the fitting and toss the rubber O-ring seal. Do not open the fitting at the discharge line and make sure to put tape or a plug over the fitting at the evaporator tube's outlet. Following this, pull out the nut joining the liquid line fitting at the condenser outlet, remove the line and throw away the rubber O-ring. Again, you should cover or tape down the open condenser outlet fitting and refrigerant line fitting of the liquid line. Unhook the cooling module from the vehicle, disconnect the lower air seal tabs from the side seals and remove the four holding screws before you can move the condenser. Cut the locking buttons on the mounting rods and disconnect the side air seals from the condenser. To install, attach each air seal to one side of the condenser, push in new rods with pads through the fins and secure the seals with buttons you lock onto them. Place the condenser on the cooling module, secure the air seal with four screws at 7.9 Nm (70 in. lbs.), engage the lower air seal tabs and reattach the cooling module to the vehicle. Remove the tape and plugs from the outlet fitting and liquid line's refrigerant line, rub a new O-ring with clean oil and fit the lubricated part on the liquid line refilling port using only those recommended by your vehicle's compressor. Join the liquid hose fitting to the condenser outlet, push the nut to 27.7 Nm (245 in. lbs.) and repeat the procedure for the discharge hose connection and its corresponding nut. Connect the negative cable from the battery back up, exhaust the refrigerant and after replacing the condenser, put in 30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) of refrigerant oil into the system before charging.