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Now, the parts are named this for their function...
The COMPRESSOR takes the R134a and compresses it, turning it into a LIQUID, and pumping it through the AC Line.
The LIQUID, under HIGH PRESSURE cannot be forced through the Evaporator quickly, so it ACCUMULATES in the Accumulator(or Dryer).
From the Accumulator, the R134a flows into the EVAPORATOR.
The Evaporator is called so because, high pressure R134a enters as LIQUID and leaves as a GAS (evaporates).
The blower fan inside your car draws hot air through the evaporator
and the liquid R134a removes the heat from the air, making the air cold.
The high pressure liquid then turns to a high pressure GAS (EVAPORATING) from the change in temperature.
This GAS then passes through the ORIFICE, which regulates the flow of the gas.
Once through the Orifice, there is a change in pressure.
Now the R134a is a MODERATE PRESSURE HEATED gas.
The R134a, in this state, enters the CONDENSOR.
In the CONDENSOR, the outside airflow, either being drawn by the electric cooling fans,
or flowing through the radiator as you drive, removes the HEAT from the R134a,
that it absorbed when it passed through the Evaporator.
This effectively makes the GAS change from a low density to a HIGH Density gas(CONDENSATION).
This works much like a Intercooler for a Turbo.
Cooling a gas makes the gas higher in density.
This also changes the pressure from moderate to LOW.
A higher density gas takes up less space than a lower density gas.
Now the gas is then drawn into the Compressor, to be pressurized, liquified, and then back around the AC Route again.

Now than you understand how the AC system works, troubleshooting it will be much easier.




Wow, you just confused me. The way I was taught, and according to the "Ford self study book" in front of me, it goes more like this(for the fixed oriface type): The compressor compresses the refrigerant, it leaves the compressor as a high pressure high temp gas and enters the condensor, the "cooler" air passing over the condensor turns it into a high pressure high temp liquid, it then passes through the oriface tube and due to the restriction turns into a low pressure low temp liquid, it then enters the evaporator, the warmer cabin air or outside air (depending on max a/c or a/c setting), passes over the evaporator and then turns it into a mixture of mostly low pressure low temp gas with in some cases still liquid left, it then goes into the accumulator/drier to remove any remaining liquid before going back into the compressor.