hi everyone, long time reader first time member..n00b.. annyway i took my 95z to chevy today and they said the expansion valve was clogged and want about $300-400 to drain/refill freon +replace valve. I told em id think about it since i cant afford it right now. they flashed the comp so it would start working, and then as it would go off and on they tapped on the expansion valve and it would work. (thats their reasoning for blaming that part). If the valve is clogged (with metal) then the compressors fallin apart and itll be like a grand to fix.. any suggestions on a quick fix. Theres a chance its clogged from liquid freon b/c when I added a can i was a dumass and held the can upside down and shook to make it empty quicker. any cheap fix suggestions? if it stops again will I need to find a way to flash the comp to get it back on? please help, and very sorry about the really long post.

 

THX valves have that problem regularly. Those that don't should feel lucky. Chances are very good it's not from metal from the compressor. You putting liquid in on the wrong side probably didn't cause the problem either. The THX has a very tiny pipe that has gas in it and the joints containing the gas will eventually leak the gas out and render the valve useless. In your case the valve is sticking.

Some times vacuuming it down and refilling it will cause it to function again but is only temporary. That's still gona cost you 150 to 200 with the R134 and new filter dryer. But that's the only other alternative you have.

If the THX is at the evaporator core like I thought it was, the price given to you is not bad. Provided it includes the filter dryer also. But now I'm wondering if the THX is located somewhere else??????? What were they tapping on? This is something I have to look into.

It's still a shame you live in a hot locale and can't really afford to do it right.

 

The expansion valve is the "block" where the lines attach at the evaporator housing. AFAIK, there is no orifice tube in this system.

You only need to remove the PCM BAT fuse for ~30 seconds to reset the PCM to allow the compressor to come back on.

 

props and thanks on fuse name to reset comp, thatll come in handy a few times. i'd answer the question of where is the place to tap on to temporarily fix problem, but someone beat me to it . oh well, thanks for the quick response. I know the guy at the dealership who feels bad for me and will install it for $75 himself off the clock. I just gotta buy some cans of freon and the part. any clue as to where i can get the expansion valve cheaper than from chevy.. advance auto/ auto zone/ pep boys dont have and cant order. dont want a junk yard one either. what does that leave me with? know of any online warehouses for aftermarket stuff like this? thanks! now somebody welcome me to ur message board haha

 

Ahh that answers that. Stick with the dealer to get it. If you have problems in the future, you have a smiling face at the parts counter to go back and slap as apposed to the internet.

Hey Rob, does the block have the capillary tube that goes to the evaporator like the older style THX's did?

Willie, welcome to the board. :

 

If you want to buy GM parts cheap, use these guys.

 

No capillary tube that I know of.

 

Does anyone have the P/N for the Expansion valve for a 1997, mine is bad too, along with the compressor, accumulator, and a lot of other parts.

 

GM PART # 52477944

 

Thanks. Now that I bothered to look at the diagram, I see it is self contained and bolts in from the engine bay side.

When replacing it, I would change out the 4 seals it uses on both sides. There are a total of 3 part numbers for the 4 seals. The 2 on the evaporator side are the same. The 2 on the engine bay side are different.

Don't forget the filter dryer too!