A/C Pressure Zone "B" Diagnosis
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Pontiac Firebird and 2002 Chevrolet Camaro. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
Avoid contact with moving parts and hot surfaces while working around a running engine in order to prevent physical injury.
- Were you sent here from the A/C System Performance Test? If so, go to next step. If not, go to A/C SYSTEM PERFORMANCE TEST under PERFORMANCE TESTS.
- After continued operation of the A/C system, do the low and high side pressures equalize or become static? If so, go to step 5. If not, go to next step.
- Refer to the pressures recorded during the A/C SYSTEM PERFORMANCE TEST . Inspect for the following conditions:
- The low side pressure equal to or above the specified pressure range of the A/C Performance Table. See Figure.
- The high side pressure is below the specified pressure range of the A/C Performance Table. See Figure.
- The low side refrigerant line at the compressor feels cool-to-warm.
- The high side refrigerant line at the compressor feels warm-to-hot.
- Refer to the pressures recorded during the A/C SYSTEM PERFORMANCE TEST . Inspect for the following conditions:
- The low side pressure is above the specified pressure range of the A/C Performance Table.
- The high side pressure is below the specified pressure range of the A/C Performance Table.
- The low side refrigerant line at the compressor feels warm.
- The high side refrigerant line at the compressor feels warm to hot.
- The A/C system has a low refrigerant charge. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. See RECOVERY, EVACUATION & RECHARGING in GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES article in GENERAL SERVICING. After repairs are complete, go to next step.
- Record the low and high side pressures as well as the I/P outlet air temperature after repairs are performed. Compare the pressures and outlet temperature to those listed in the A/C Performance Chart. See Figure. Are the readings within the specified ranges? If so, go to step 13. If not, go to next step.
- The A/C compressor is malfunctioning. Remove the orifice tube and inspect for contamination. See ORIFICE TUBE under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Are there metal flakes on the orifice tube? If so, go to step 9. If not, go to next step.
- Inspect the orifice tube for a Brown, powdery residue indicating desiccant in the A/C system. Is there a Brown, powdery residue present? If so, go to step 11. If not, go to step 12.
- Remove the compressor hose from the compressor. See COMPRESSOR HOSE under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Inspect for metal flake contamination at the line connections and the compressor ports. Is there metal flake contamination present? If so, go to next step. If not, go to step 12.
- Replace the A/C compressor. See COMPRESSOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Install an A/C refrigerant filter. See REFRIGERANT FILTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Replace the orifice tube. See ORIFICE TUBE under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. See RECOVERY, EVACUATION & RECHARGING in GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES article in GENERAL SERVICING. After repairs are complete, go to step 13.
- Flush the A/C system. See FLUSHING PROCEDURES in GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES article in GENERAL SERVICING. Replace the orifice tube. See ORIFICE TUBE under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Replace the A/C compressor. See COMPRESSOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Replace the accumulator. See ACCUMULATOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. See RECOVERY, EVACUATION & RECHARGING in GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES article in GENERAL SERVICING. Is the repair complete? Go to Step 13
- Replace the A/C compressor. See COMPRESSOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. See RECOVERY, EVACUATION & RECHARGING in GENERAL SERVICING PROCEDURES article in GENERAL SERVICING. After repairs are complete, go to next step.
- Operate the system in order to verify the repair Did you correct the condition? If so, system is okay. If not, go to SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS under TROUBLE SHOOTING.