May 14, 2025  
2025-2026 Workforce Education Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Workforce Education Catalog

UAFM 171 - Climate Control Systems


Construction, operation, diagnosis and repair of modern heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC) and climate control systems common in automobiles and light truck applications.

Prerequisite(s): UAFM 101 and UAFM 161 

Course Learning Outcomes:

  1. Explain automotive heating , ventilation and air conditioning fundamentals. 
  2. Describe climate control systems theory and operation. 
  3. Demonstrate comprehensive automotive HVAC electronic componentry theory and operation. 
  4. Appraise climate control system diagnostics. 
  5. Compare climate control systems leak detection methods and principles. 
  6. Diagnose climate control system-related malfunctions.

Outline:
  1. Heating and Air Conditioning Fundamentals
    1. Principles of refrigeration
      1. States of matter
      2. Heat transfer
      3. Pressure and temperature relationship
      4. Refrigerants
      5. Lubrication oils
      6. Basi refrigerant cycle
      7. High and low sides
    2. Automotive Air Conditioning Systems
      1. Pumps/Compressors
      2. Condensers 
      3. Flow metering devices
      4. Evaporators
      5. Receiver Driers
      6. Accumulator Driers 
      7. Blower fans
      8. Thermostatic switches
      9. Pressure and temperature sensors
      10. Hoses, Lines, Mufflers
      11. Service Valves
    3. System Design Variants
      1. Fixed orifice
      2. Thermostatic expansion
    4. Heating Systems
      1. Engine cooling system fundamentals
      2. Hoses
      3. Heater core
      4. Blower fans
      5. Controls
    5. Heating and Air Conditioning Controls
      1. Actuators
        1. Vacuum
        2. Electronic
        3. Mechanical
      2. Ducts and vents
      3. Filters
    6. Climate Controlled Seats
      1. Heated
      2. Heated and Cooled
    7. Heated Steering Wheels\ Thermo-electronic devices
    8. Auxiliary Systems
    9. Hybrid Systems
  2. Heating and Air Conditioning Diagnosis, Service, and Repair
    1. Inspections
    2. Fault detection
    3. Monitoring system pressures and temperatures
  3. Refrigerant safety and chemical hazards
  4. System Performance Testing
    1. Manifold gauges
    2. Mode 1 (Datalogger)
  5. Recovery, Evacuation, Recycling and Recharging
    1. Refrigerant identification
    2. Leak sealant detection
    3. Service connections
    4. Service equipment operation
    5. Leak detection
      1. Dyes
      2. Electronic samplers
  6. Common system faults
    1. Evaporators
    2. Condensers
    3. Driers
    4. Metering Devices
    5. Lines and hoses
  7. System service
    1. Evacuation
    2. Flushing
    3. Component replacement
      1. Recovery and addition of oil
    4. Service Rules
    5. EPA 609 certification preparation