05 xB A/C Evaporator leaking..how do I access and replace?
 

Hi all. My 05 xB A/C is not working. Dealer located leak...it's the Evaporator..and wants $1200 to replace because it calls for 7 hrs labor.
The evaporator is in the vehicle, behind the dash somewhere. I've searched the forum and best I've seen is a white box behind the filter (behind the glove box)..is that it?

Any ideas please...thx.

It is on the passanger side , it the big box under the passengers feet, behind the glove box.

the evap is on the left side as your looking at it.

Thanks Frogbox. I'll try do it myself. I just have to remove the glovebox, right..not the whole dash?

Looks like it. Steps are...

discharge refirgerant ( all ready done if you got a leak hehe)
disconnect tubes
remove control knobs ( center consol )
says to remove air bag and dash ( if your lucky you can probably do without this, I have never done it )
remove ECM
remove blower assembly ( this is where it is)

repair/replace broken parts

reassemble.

think there is something in the tech section to help

Hmmm...now I know why its $1200...but may have to try it..dont have the $1200 to spend.
Thanks for your help.

^^^How do you plan on charging the a/c system? Also, how do plan on vacuuming the air out of the a/c system, so that the system blows nice and cold?

If it was me , I would do all the labor of replacing the parts and then take it to an AC shop.

I might even find out if a school nearby ( Wyotech comes to mind) might have an ROP course in HVAC an see if maybe the students , just maybe able to use it as a test . ( you would pay for parts and get labor for free)

Would get it done cheaper than 1200 bucks

x2 on the a/c shop to recharge the a/c system and DIY the rest

See the Scion Docs link in my signature...

You especially want this one...

http://scionlife.org/Scion_Docs/2004...r/overhaul.pdf

Tom

You guys are awesome. Thanks so much for the information. I'm going to go with the "change the parts, take to a/c shop for vacuum and recharge". Hopefully I can document the procedure and post it for others. My Xb is an 05..really early for the evaporator to go bad..so maybe it will be a usefull exercise.

'04-06 are the same mechanically, just a few differences in the wiring, so the A/C info in the Scion Docs link should have you covered.

(There are also a couple TSBs on the '04-early '05 air conditioner that you might want to look at - one makes minor adjustment changes in the controls, and you might want to check that out as long as you are up to your elbows in HVAC parts under the dash...) :)