REMOVAL

WARNING: Refer to the applicable warnings and cautions for this system before performing the following operation (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - WARNING) and (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - CAUTION). Failure to follow the warnings and cautions could result in possible personal injury or death.

CAUTION: The A/C receiver/drier must be replaced if an internal failure of the A/C compressor has occurred. Failure to replace the A/C receiver/drier can cause serious damage to the replacement A/C compressor.

NOTE: Before removing the A/C condenser, note the location of each of the radiator and condenser air seals. These seals are used to direct air through the A/C condenser and the radiator. The air seals must be reinstalled in their proper locations in order for the A/C and engine cooling systems to perform as designed.

1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
2. Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING - STANDARD PROCEDURE - REFRIGERANT SYSTEM RECOVERY).
3. Remove the coolant recovery container (refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/COOLANT RECOVERY CONTAINER - REMOVAL).
4. On 2.8L equipped models, disconnect the air intake hose from the throttle body and position the hose out of the way.
5. Remove the nuts (3 and 5) that secure the A/C discharge line (2) and A/C liquid line (4) to the left side of the A/C condenser (1).
6. Disconnect the A/C discharge and liquid lines from the A/C condenser and remove and discard the O-ring seals and gaskets.
7. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened refrigerant line fittings and condenser ports.

NOTE: Illustration shown with A/C condenser removed for clarity.

8. Remove the grille (refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERIOR/GRILLE - REMOVAL).
9. Remove the upper radiator closure.
10. If equipped with an automatic transmission, remove the radiator and A/C condenser as an assembly and place it on a workbench (refer to 7 - COOLING/ENGINE/RADIATOR - REMOVAL).
11. Remove the bolts at the five locations shown (3) that secure the A/C condenser (1) to the radiator.
12. If equipped with an automatic transmission, separate the A/C condenser from the radiator.
13. If equipped with a manual transmission, remove the two bolts that secure the radiator to the upper radiator support and carefully push the top of the radiator rearward to provide clearance for the refrigerant line tapping block (2), then lift the A/C condenser out from the front of the engine compartment.
14. If required and equipped with an automatic transmission, remove the bolt (4) that secures the transmission cooler line adapter (5) to the left side of the automatic transmission fluid cooler (6).
15. If required, remove the A/C receiver/drier (7) from the right side of the A/C condenser (refer to 24 - HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/RECEIVER/DRIER-A/C - REMOVAL).