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Home >> Chevrolet >> 2020 >> Malibu LS >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 21 (Heating, Ventilation, And Air Conditioning) >> Diagnostic Information and Procedures >> Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2019 Chevrolet Malibu. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special Tools

Equivalent regional tools: Special Tools .

This test measures the operating efficiency of the A/C system under the following conditions:

Test Description 

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. 1 

    This step determines if the A/C system has at least the minimum refrigerant charge required to operate the system without damage.

  2. 2 

    This step measures the performance of the A/C system.

  3. 3 

    This step is to allow for vehicle variations as well as high ambient temperatures.

Step Action Values Yes No
NOTE:
  • The ambient air temperature must be at least 16°C (60°F).
  • Do not induce additional air flow across the front of the vehicle during the test.
  • If you were sent here from a DTC diagnostic table, clear the DTC upon completion of this test.
1 
  1. Park the vehicle inside or in the shade.
  2. Open the windows in order to ventilate the interior of the vehicle.
  3. If the A/C system was operating, allow the A/C system to equalize for about 2 minutes.
  4. Turn OFF the ignition.
  5. Install
    • For R-1234yf GE-50300  A/C Refrigerant Recovery/Recharge Cart
    • For R - 134a GE-48800  CoolTech A/C Recharge Machine
  6. Record the ambient air temperature and humidity.
  7. Record the low and high side STATIC pressure readings.
Are both the low side and high side pressures within the specified value?		 More than 16°C (60°F) - 345 kPa (50 psi)
More than 24°C (75°F) - 483 kPa (70 psi)
More than 33°C (90°F) - 690 kPa (100 psi)		 Go to Step 2  Go to Leak Testing (R-1234yf) 
2 
    NOTE:

    Record the relative humidity and the ambient air temperature at the time of the test.

  1. Close the vehicle doors and windows.
  2. Open the drivers door window 12.7 - 15.2 cm (5 - 6 in).
  3. Select the following HVAC control settings:
    • The A/C is ON.
    • The coldest temperature setting
    • The maximum blower speed
    • Recirculation mode
    • The instrument panel (I/P) outlet mode
    • All I/P outlets are OPEN.
  4. Install thermometers in the left and right center panel air outlets.
  5. Apply the parking brake.
  6. Place the transaxle/transmission in one of the following positions:
    • PARK (Automatic)
    • NEUTRAL (Manual)
  7. Start the engine and warm to operating temperature.
  8. Operate the A/C system for 5 minutes.
  9. Inspect A/C components for the following conditions:
    • Abnormal frost areas
    • Unusual noises
  10. Record the following information:
    • The panel outlet air temperatures
    • The low-side pressure
    • The high-side pressure
  11. Compare the low and high side pressures and the panel output temperatures to the A/C Performance Table below.
Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the A/C Performance Table below?		 - Go to Step 5  Go to Step 3 
3  If the pressures and temperatures recorded do not fall within the specified ranges:
  1. Continue to operate the A/C system for an additional 5 minutes.
  2. Record the pressures and temperatures again.
  3. Compare the low and high side pressures and the panel output temperature to the A/C Performance Table below.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the A/C Performance Table below?		 - Go to Step 5  Go to Step 4 
4 Perform the necessary repairs. A/C Diagnostics Chart 
Is the action complete?		 - Go to Step 5  -
5 Operate the system in order to verify the test results.
Did you find the same results?		 - System OK Go to Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Automatic
A/C Performance Table

Ambient Temperature Relative Humidity Low Side Service Port Pressure High Side Service Port Pressure Maximum Left Center Discharge Air Temperature
13 - 18°C (55 - 65°F) 0 - 100% 172 - 261 kPa (25 - 38 psi) 1329 - 1570 kPa (193 - 228 psi) 10°C (50°F)
19 - 24°C (66 - 75°F) Less than 40% 172 - 268 kPa (25 - 39 psi) 1481 - 1743 kPa (215 - 253 psi) 12°C (52°F)
Greater than 40% 199 - 310 kPa (29 - 45 psi) 1481 - 1770 kPa (215 - 257 psi) 14°C (57°F)
25 - 29°C (76 - 85°F) Less than 35% 206 - 296 kPa (30 - 43 psi) 1632 - 1880 kPa (237 - 273 psi) 14°C (57°F)
35 - 50% 227 - 310 kPa (33 - 45 psi) 1646 - 1901 kPa (239 - 276 psi) 15°C (59°F)
Greater than 50% 241 - 344 kPa (35 - 50 psi) 1660 - 1942 kPa (241 - 282 psi) 18°C (64°F)
30 - 35°C (86 - 95°F) Less than 30% 234 - 323 kPa (34 - 47 psi) 1770 - 2039 kPa (257 - 296 psi) 18°C (64°F)
30 - 50% 248 - 351 kPa (36 - 51 psi) 1791 - 2080 kPa (260 - 302 psi) 19°C (66°F)
Greater than 50% 268 - 385 kPa (39 - 56 psi) 1818-2142 kPa (264 - 311 psi) 23°C (72°F)
36 - 41°C (96 - 105°F) Less than 20% 254 - 337 kPa (37 - 49 psi) 1908 - 2177 kPa (277 - 316 psi) 19°C (66°F)
20 - 40% 268 - 372 kPa (39 - 54 psi) 1942 - 2232 kPa (282 - 324 psi) 22°C (70°F)
Greater than 40% 296 - 399 kPa (43 - 58 psi) 1977 - 2287 kPa (287 - 332 psi) 24°C (75°F)
42 - 46°C (106 - 115°F) Less than 20% 289 - 365 kPa (42 - 53 psi) 2067 - 2308 kPa (300 - 355 psi) 22°C (70°F)
Greater than 20% 303 - 399 kPa (44 - 58 psi) 2101 - 2377 kPa (305 - 345 psi) 24°C (75°F)
47 - 49°C (116 - 120°F) Below 30% 323 - 413 kPa (47 - 60 psi) 2232 - 2487 kPa (324 - 361 psi) 27°C (79°F)
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