Functional description

The front refrigerant shutoff valve is integrated in the expansion valve of the integrated automatic heating and air conditioning system (IHKA) and it blocks the pressure line to the front evaporator.

• Vehicles with rear air conditioner

  The connection and control operation of the rear air conditioner (HKA) for the refrigerant circuit of the integrated automatic heating and air conditioning system (IHKA) is designed in such a way that independent operation is possible.

  If both systems are in operation, pulsing the 2 refrigerant shutoff valves can regulate both systems independently of one another. However, at least one refrigerant shut-off valve must always be opened.

  The HKA control unit activates the front refrigerant shutoff valve.

• ActiveHybrid vehicles (e.g. F10)

  The cooling system for the high-voltage battery is regulated by the battery management electronics (SME).

  Owing to the request from the battery management electronics, the IHKA control unit activates the A/C compressor (electrical) if it is not already running.

  Owing to the request from the battery management electronics, the electrical machine electronics (EME) activate the front refrigerant shutoff valve.

The graphic below show the front refrigerant shutoff valve on the example F02.

Fig 1: Identifying Refrigerant Shutoff Valve, Evaporator And Plug Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.