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Home >> Kia >> 2019 >> Optima EX >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different variant/trim >> Section 190 (Blower System (PHEV)) >> Blower Unit >> Repair Procedures >> Replacement
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Repair Procedures: Replacement

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.
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)

    G13158845Courtesy 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)

    G13158846Courtesy 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).
    G13158847Courtesy 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).
    G13158848Courtesy 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 & SHAFT ")

  18. Remove the front door scuff trim.

    (Refer to Body - "DOOR SCUFF TRIM ")

  19. Remove the shift lever assembly.

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

  20. Disconnect the airbag control module (SRSCM) connector (A).
    G13158849Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  21. Separate the accelerator pedal (A) after loosening the bolts.
    G13158850Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  22. Separate the floor carpet (A) to allow space for removing the rear heating duct.

    [LH] 

    G13158851Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

    [RH] 

    G13158852Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  23. Remove the rear heating duct (A) after loosening the clip.

    [LH] 

    G13158853Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

    [RH] 

    G13158854Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  24. Disconnect the passenger compartment junction box connectors (A).
    G13158855Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  25. Disconnect the multi box connectors (A).

    [LH] 

    G13158856Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

    [RH] 

    G13158857Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  26. Disconnect the connector (A) and the mounting clips in the front pillar.

    [LH] 

    G13158858Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

    [RH] 

    G13158859Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  27. Remove the drain hose (A).
    G13158860Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  28. After loosening the bolts, remove the main crash pad and cowl cross bar assembly (A) altogether.

    [LH] 

    G13158861Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

    [RH] 

    G13158862Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  29. Disconnect the heater & blower unit connectors.
    1. Loosen the BCM unit and smart key unit mounting screws.
      G13158863Courtesy 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.
      G13158864Courtesy 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.
      G13158865Courtesy 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.
      G13158866Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    5. Disconnect the blower motor connector (A).
      G13158867Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  30. Loosen the heater & blower unit mounting bolt (A).
    G13158868Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  31. Remove the heater and blower unit (A) from the crash pad after loosening the mounting nuts.
    G13158869Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  32. Separate the blower unit (B) from the heater unit (A) after loosening the screws.
    G13158870Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    G13158871Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
    G13158872Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
  33. Install in the reverse order of removal.
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