OEM 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 Van A/C Expansion Valve

2001 Dodge Ram 3500 Van A/C Expansion Valve Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to service and repair the A/C Expansion Valve on 2001 Dodge Ram 3500 Van?

  A: Before doing anything to the expansion valve, disconnect the battery negative cable and remove all the refrigerant from the refrigerant system. For the front expansion valve, first undo the screw joining the block fitting of the suction line jumper to the expansion valve. With all open refrigerant line fittings exposed, plug or tape them up before proceeding. Get the suction line jumper and filter-drier away from the expansion valve, access the mounting screws, remove them from the valve and evaporator coil block fitting and remove the valve, putting tape or plugs onto all opened refrigerant tubes before reassembling. In models with the optional rear heater-A/C unit, detach and isolate the negative battery lead and drain the refrigerant only from the rear expansion valve. Take the cover off the rear heater-A/C unit, remove the screw in the center of the check valve adapter, install plugs or tape on the open suction and liquid line fittings and disconnect the lines from the expansion valve. Loosen and take out the two screws securing the expansion valve to the bracket at the rear of the heater-A/C unit and coil evaporator tube. Take off the tape or plugs from the evaporator coil block fitting and the evaporator side of the expansion valve, fit the valve into the hole and seal it with two screws turned in until the torque reading shows 11.4 Nm or 100 in. lbs. Screw off the tape or plugs from the block fitting on the suction line jumper and the expansion valve, place the suction line jumper block fitting onto the expansion valve and secure it with a 22 Nm (200 in. lbs.) screw. Connect the negative battery cable, open the refrigerant system and charge the unit. To fit the rear expansion valve, remove the plug or tape from the bracket's combination evaporator tube and from the expansion valve, attach the valve to the bracket and use two screws to hold it securely tightened to 11.4 Nm (100 in. lbs.). Clear out the tape on both heater-A/C suction and liquid lines and the expansion valve, place the lines at the port on the expansion valve, secure it using the adapter plate and mounting screws tightened to 22 Nm (200 in. lbs.). Put the rear heater-A/C cover back into place, attach the negative battery connector, gather and empty the refrigerant system and fill it.