Repair Procedures: Replacement

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Kia Sorento. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal.
Recover the refrigerant with a recovery/recycling/charging station.
When the engine is cool, drain the engine coolant from the radiator.
(Refer to "COOLANT for 2.4L GDI, and COOLANT for 3.3L GDI")
Remove the expansion valve cover (A).

Fig 1: Identifying Expansion Valve Cover
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Remove the expansion valve (A) from the evaporator core.

Fig 2: Identifying Expansion Valve From Evaporator Core
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

Tightening torque:

7.8 ~ 11.7 N.m (0.8 ~ 1.2 kgf.m, 5.7 ~ 8.6 lb-ft)
NOTE:
- Plug or cap the lines immediately after disconnecting them to avoid moisture and dust contamination.
- When installing, replace with a new O-ring (B).
Disconnect the inlet (A) and outlet (B) heater hoses from the heater unit.

Fig 3: Identifying Inlet And Outlet Heater Hoses
Courtesy 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.
Remove the cowl top cover.
(Refer to "COWL TOP COVER ")
Remove the front pillar trim.
(Refer to "INTERIOR TRIM ")
Remove the front seat assembly.
(Refer to "FRONT SEAT ")
Remove the console assembly.
(Refer to "CONSOLE ")
Remove the shift lever assembly.
(Refer to "SHIFT LEVER for A6LF2, or SHIFT LEVER for A6MF2")
Remove the cowl side trim.
(Refer to "INTERIOR TRIM ")
Remove the crash pad lower panel.
(Refer to "CRASH PAD LOWER PANEL REPLACEMENT ")
Remove the steering column shroud panel.
(Refer to "STEERING COLUMN SHROUD PANEL ")
Lower the steering column after loosening the mounting bolts.
(Refer to "STEERING COLUMN AND SHAFT ")
Remove the glove box housing.
(Refer to "GLOVE BOX HOUSING REPLACEMENT ")
After loosening the mounting bolt, then remove the rear air duct (A).
[LH]

Fig 4: Identifying Rear Air Duct (LH)
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

[RH]

Fig 5: Identifying Rear Air Duct (RH)
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the airbag control module (SRSCM) connector (A).

Fig 6: Identifying Airbag Control Module Connector
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the passenger compartment junction box connectors (A).

Fig 7: Identifying Passenger Compartment Junction Box Connectors
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the multi box connectors (A).
[Driver's side]

Fig 8: Identifying Multi Box Connectors (Driver Side)
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

[Passenger's side]

Fig 9: Identifying Multi Box Connectors (Passenger Side)
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Disconnect the connector (A) and the mounting clips in the front pillar.
[Driver's side]

Fig 10: Identifying Front Pillar Connector (Driver Side)
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

[Passenger's side]

Fig 11: Identifying Front Pillar Connector (Passenger Side)
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
After loosening the mounting bolts, remove the reinforce panel (A).
After loosening the nuts and bolts remove the main crash pad (B) and cowl cross bar assembly (B) together.

Fig 12: Removing Crash Pad And Reinforce Panel
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Loosen the drain hose fixing clip under the vehicle.
Disconnect the heater unit connectors.
Remove the heater and blower unit from the crash pad after loosening the mounting nuts.
Separate the blower unit from the heater unit after loosening the screws.

Fig 13: Identifying Crash Pad And Reinforce Panel
Courtesy of KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Install in the reverse order of removal.