Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone A (without HP5)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Step	Action	Yes	No
DEFINITION: The low side pressure is higher than normal and the high side pressure is lower than normal. Malfunctioning Air Conditioning (A/C) Compressor Refrigerant Under Charge
1	Were you sent here from the air conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test?	Go to Step 2	Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LZ4) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LE5) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7 Red Line) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LAT Green Line) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (HP5)
2	After continued operation of the A/C system, do the low and the high side pressures equalize or become static?	Go to Step 5	Go to Step 3
3	Refer to the pressures recorded during the A/C System Performance Test. Inspect for the following conditions: CAUTION: Refer to Moving Parts and Hot Surfaces Warning . The low side pressure is equal to or greater than the specified pressure range of the A/C Performance Table. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LZ4) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LE5) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7 Red Line) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LAT Green Line) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (HP5) . The high side pressure is less than the specified pressure range of the A/C Performance Table. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LZ4) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LE5) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7 Red Line) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LAT Green Line) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (HP5) . The low side refrigerant line at the compressor feels cool to warm. The high side refrigerant line at the compressor feels warm to hot. Do the listed conditions exist?	Go to Step 5	Go to Step 4
4	Refer to the pressures recorded during the A/C System Performance Test. Inspect for the following conditions: CAUTION: Refer to Moving Parts and Hot Surfaces Warning . The low side pressure is greater than the specified pressure range of the A/C Performance Table. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LZ4) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LE5) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7 Red Line) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LAT Green Line) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (HP5) . The high side pressure is less than the specified pressure range of the A/C Performance Table. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LZ4) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LE5) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7 Red Line) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LAT Green Line) Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (HP5) . The low side refrigerant line at the compressor feels warm. The high side refrigerant line at the compressor feels warm to hot. Do the listed conditions exist?	Go to Step 5	Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LZ4) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LE5) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7 Red Line) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LAT Green Line) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (HP5)
5	The A/C system has a low refrigerant charge. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging (With HP5) or Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging (Without HP5) . Is the action complete?	Go to Step 6	-
6	After you perform the repairs, record the following: The low and the high side pressures The instrument panel outlet air temperature Compare the pressures and the temperature to those listed in the A/C Performance Chart. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LZ4) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LE5) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7 Red Line) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LAT Green Line) or Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (HP5) . Are the readings within the specified ranges found on the A/C Performance Chart?	Go to Step 13	Go to Step 7
7	The A/C compressor is malfunctioning. Remove the thermal expansion valve (TXV) and inspect for contamination. Refer to Air Conditioning Evaporator Thermal Expansion Valve Replacement . Did you find metal flakes on the TXV?	Go to Step 9	Go to Step 8
8	Inspect the TXV for a brown, powdery residue indicating desiccant in the A/C system. Is a brown, powdery residue present?	Go to Step 11	Go to Step 12
9	Remove the compressor hose from the compressor. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Hose Replacement (LZ4) or Air Conditioning Compressor Hose Replacement (LAT) or Air Conditioning Compressor Hose Replacement (LY7) or Air Conditioning Compressor Hose Replacement (LE5) . Inspect for metal flake contamination at the line connections and the compressor ports. Is metal flake contamination present?	Go to Step 10	Go to Step 12
10	Replace the A/C compressor. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (HP5) or Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (LY7) or Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (LZ4) or Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (LAT, LE5) . Replace the TXV. Refer to Air Conditioning Evaporator Thermal Expansion Valve Replacement . Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging (With HP5) or Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging (Without HP5) . Is the action complete?	Go to Step 13	-
11	Replace the TXV. Refer to Air Conditioning Evaporator Thermal Expansion Valve Replacement . Replace the A/C compressor. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (HP5) or Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (LY7) or Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (LZ4) or Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (LAT, LE5) . Replace the refrigerant desiccant. Refer to Air Conditioning Refrigerant Desiccant Replacement . Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging (With HP5) or Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging (Without HP5) . Is the action complete?	Go to Step 13	-
12	Replace the A/C compressor. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (HP5) or Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (LY7) or Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (LZ4) or Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (LAT, LE5) . Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging (With HP5) or Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging (Without HP5) . Is the action complete?	Go to Step 13	-
13	Operate the system in order to verify the repair Did you find and correct the condition?	System OK	Go to Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Manual or Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Automatic .