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Home › Kia › 2018 › Optima Plug-In Hybrid EX › Repair and Diagnosis › External Pages › Different car › Section 76 (Blower System (PHEV)) › Blower Unit › Repair Procedures › Replacement

Repair Procedures: Replacement

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Kia Optima. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
CAUTION: When prying with a flat-tip screwdriver or use a prying trim tool, wrap it with protective tape, and apply protective tape around the related parts, to prevent damage.
  1. Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal.
  2. Recover the refrigerant with a recovery/recycling/charging station.
    WARNING: If PAG oil mixes into the POE oil of the system, dielectric breakdown may occur due to decreased volumetric resistivity and the A/C compressor may not work.
  3. When the engine is cool, drain the engine coolant from the radiator.

    (Refer to Engine Mechanical System - "COOLANT ")

  4. Remove the cowl top cover.

    (Refer to Body - "COWL TOP COVER ")

  5. Remove the expansion valve cover (A) after loosening the nut.

    Tightening Torque:  7.8 - 11.8 N.m (0.8 - 1.2 kgf.m, 5.8 - 8.7 lb.ft)

    G12352247Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  6. Remove the expansion valve (A) from the evaporator core after loosening the bolts.

    Tightening Torque:  7.8 - 11.8 N.m (0.8 - 1.2 kgf.m, 5.8 - 8.7 lb.ft)

    G12352248Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    NOTE:
    • Plug or cap the lines immediately after disconnecting them to avoid moisture and dust contamination.
    • When installing, replace with a new O-ring
  7. Disconnect the heater hoses (A).
    G12352249Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    CAUTION: Engine coolant will run out when the hoses are disconnected; drain it into a clean drip pan. Be sure not to let coolant spill on electrical parts or painted surfaces. If any coolant spills, rinse it off immediately.
  8. Loosen the cowl cross member mounting bolts (A).
    G12352250Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  9. Remove both sides of front seat assembly.

    (Refer to Body - "FRONT SEAT ASSEMBLY ")

  10. Remove the floor console.

    (Refer to Body - "FLOOR CONSOLE ")

  11. Remove both sides of the front pillar trim.

    (Refer to Body - "FRONT PILLAR TRIM ")

  12. Remove both sides of the cowl side trim.

    (Refer to Body - "COWL SIDE TRIM ")

  13. Remove the crash pad lower panel.

    (Refer to Body - "CRASH PAD LOWER PANEL ")

  14. Remove the steering column shroud lower panel.

    (Refer to Body - "STEERING COLUMN SHROUD PANEL ")

  15. Remove the steering wheel.

    (Refer to Steering System - "STEERING WHEEL ")

  16. Remove the multifunction switch.

    (Refer to Body Electrical System - "MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ")

  17. Lower the steering column after loosening the mounting bolts.

    (Refer to Steering System - "STEERING COLUMN AND SHAFT ")

  18. Remove the front door scuff trim.

    (Refer to Body - "DOOR SCUFF TRIM ")

  19. Remove the shift lever assembly.

    (Refer to Manual Transaxle System - "SHIFT LEVER ")

    (Refer to Automatic Transaxle System - "SHIFT LEVER ")

  20. Disconnect the airbag control module (SRSCM) connector (A).
    G12352251Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  21. Separate the accelerator pedal (A) after loosening the bolts.
    G12352252Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  22. Separate the floor carpet (A) to allow space for removing the rear heating duct.

    [LH] 

    G12352253Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

    [RH] 

    G12352254Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  23. Remove the rear heating duct (A) after loosening the clip.

    [LH] 

    G12352255Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

    [RH] 

    G12352256Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  24. Disconnect the passenger compartment junction box connectors (A).
    G12352257Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  25. Disconnect the multi box connectors (A).

    [LH] 

    G12352258Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

    [RH] 

    G12352259Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  26. Disconnect the connector (A) and the mounting clips in the front pillar.

    [LH] 

    G12352260Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

    [RH] 

    G12352261Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  27. Remove the drain hose (A).
    G12352262Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  28. After loosening the bolts, remove the main crash pad and cowl cross bar assembly (A) altogether.

    [LH] 

    G12352263Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

    [RH] 

    G12352264Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  29. Disconnect the heater & blower unit connectors.
    1. Loosen the BCM unit and smart key unit mounting screws.
      G12352265Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    2. Disconnect the intake actuator (A), mode control actuator (B) and cluster ionizer (C) connectors, and then remove the wiring mounting clips.
      G12352266Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    3. Disconnect the temperature control actuator (A), evaporator temperature sensor (B) and PWM blower module (C) connectors, and then remove the wiring mounting clips.
      G12352267Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    4. Disconnect the mode control actuator (A), temperature control actuator (B) and duct sensor (C) connectors, and then remove the wiring mounting clips.
      G12352268Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    5. Disconnect the blower motor connector (A).
    G12352269Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  30. Loosen the heater & blower unit mounting bolt (A).
    G12352270Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  31. Remove the heater and blower unit (A) from the crash pad after loosening the mounting nuts.
    G12352271Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  32. Separate the blower unit (B) from the heater unit (A) after loosening the screws.
    G12352272Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    G12352273Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    G12352274Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  33. Install in the reverse order of removal.
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