Where Is The Car Evaporator Located?

Where is the car evaporator located?

The core installation location for the car evaporator is below the dashboard in the driver's cabin. A few models may place it under the seats or behind the passenger-side glove compartment, depending on space constraints. The overall placement must be compatible with the installation logic of the air conditioning ducts and blower.

Mainstream Installation Location: Below the Dashboard

This is the choice for over 90% of vehicles, primarily because this area efficiently connects the core components of the air conditioning system. Specific layout characteristics are as follows:

Space Compatibility: The area below the dashboard has a designated "air conditioning assembly area" that can accommodate the evaporator, blower, air ducts, etc., without encroaching on passenger space.

Air Duct Connection: The cool air output from the evaporator below the dashboard can be quickly distributed to the air vents (windshield defroster, face vents, foot vents) through the built-in air ducts, reducing airflow loss.

Condensation Drainage: This location is close to the vehicle chassis, allowing condensate from the evaporator to be drained directly outside the vehicle via a short drain pipe, avoiding blockages or leaks caused by excessively long pipes.

Typically, removing the trim panel below the dashboard (and in some models, the glove box on the passenger side) is required to access the evaporator core (finned tube structure) encased in a plastic shell.

Special Installation Locations: Under or Side of the Seat

Some compact vehicles (such as microcars, vans, and modified vehicles) will have their evaporator positions adjusted. Two common scenarios are:

Under the Seat: Often seen in vehicles with independent rear air conditioning, the evaporator is installed under the driver's or passenger's seat, delivering cool air to the rear seats through independent ducts. The advantage is a shorter rear air duct length and faster cooling.

Passenger Side Side: A few vans (such as some cargo microvans) will install the evaporator within the passenger-side side wall, utilizing the side wall space to house the components while avoiding encroaching on the mechanical space below the dashboard.

Simple Methods to Determine Evaporator Location

If you're unsure of your vehicle's evaporator location, you can quickly determine it using two intuitive features:

Air Conditioning Vent and Blower Fan Location: The evaporator is usually located close to the blower fan (you can hear it running when the air conditioning is on), and the "source" of the air vents points towards the evaporator. Tracing the air vents deeper into the vehicle will likely lead you to the evaporator housing.

Condensate Drain Location: Condensate from the evaporator drains outside the vehicle through a transparent or black plastic drain pipe. The inner end of this pipe will connect to the evaporator drip tray. You can find the drain outlet on the undercarriage (usually below the passenger side). Following the drain pipe upwards will give you a general idea of the evaporator's location.