A/C Performance Test

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

WARNING: Refer to the applicable warnings and cautions for this system before performing the following operation. See Heating and Air Conditioning/Plumbing - Warning and Heating and Air Conditioning/Plumbing - Caution . Failure to follow the warnings and cautions could result in possible serious or fatal injury.

CAUTION: The use of an A/C recycling/charging station for purposes of determining the actual charge level of an A/C system is not recommend. Service recycling/charging stations do not reflect the correct amount of refrigerant charge in the A/C system after a single "reclaim" cycle. Tests have shown that it can take two or more "reclaim" cycles to remove all of the refrigerant charge, depending on the equipment being used. Use only the following procedure for determining the proper charge level.

NOTE: When connecting the service equipment coupling to the line fitting, verify that the valve of the coupling is fully closed. This will reduce the amount of effort required to make the connection.

Check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes using a scan tool. If no DTCs are found in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Engine Control Module (ECM) (depending on engine application), Gateway Module or the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), go to 2. If any DTCs are found, repair as required, then proceed to 2.
Connect a tachometer and a manifold gauge set or an A/C recycling/charging station.
NOTE: The ambient air temperature of the vehicle and the location where the vehicle will be tested must be a minimum of 21° C (70° F) before performing this test. Place the vehicle in the testing area until the temperature within the vehicle reaches a minimum of 21° C (70° F).
Operate the heating-A/C system under the following conditions.
- Engine at idle and operating temperature
- Doors or windows open
- Transaxle in Park or Neutral with parking brake set (depending on transaxle application)
- A/C-heater controls set to Recirculation mode (max-A/C), full cool, panel mode, high blower and A/C on.
Insert a thermometer in the driver side center panel air outlet and operate the vehicle a minimum of ten minutes to allow the thermometer temperature to stabilize.
NOTE: This procedure requires the technician to know what the temperature and relative humidity is at the time of the test. The temperature must be combined with the relative humidity to calculate the apparent ambient air temperature when temperatures are above 21° C (70° F). Use the current ambient temperature and the relative humidity in your location. This information can be obtained from multiple sources, such as the internet or local news media.

Compare the air temperature at the center panel outlet and the A/C system pressures to the A/C Performance Temperature and Pressure chart.

A/C PERFORMANCE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE

Ambient Temperature (Apparent)	21° C (70° F)	27° C (80° F)	32° C (90° F)	38° C (100° F)	43° C (110° F)
Air Temperature at Center Panel Outlet	6 -15° C (42 - 59° F)	7 -18° C (45 - 64° F)	9 - 21° C (48 - 69° F)	11 - 22° C (52 - 72° F)	13 - 24° C (56 - 75° F)
A/C High Side Pressure	1034 - 1896 kPa (150 - 275 psi)	1207 - 2068 kPa (175 - 300 psi)	1379 - 2241 kPa (200 - 325 psi)	1551 - 2413 kPa (225 - 350 psi)	1724 - 2241 kPa (250 - 375 psi)
A/C Low Side Pressure	214 - 365 kPa (31 - 53 psi)	248 - 407 kPa (36 - 59 psi)	283 - 476 kPa (41 - 69 psi)	317 - 483 kPa (46 - 70 psi)	359 - 496 kPa (52 - 72 psi)

If the air outlet temperature or the A/C system pressures are not within specifications, see A/C SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS .

A/C SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS

Condition	Possible Causes	Correction
Equal refrigerant pressures	1. No refrigerant in the refrigerant system	1. See REFRIGERANT SYSTEM LEAKS . Test the refrigerant system for leaks. Repair, evacuate and charge the refrigerant system if required.
	2. Inoperative A/C compressor	2. See COMPRESSOR, A/C . Test the compressor and replace if required.
	3. Improperly installed or inoperative A/C pressure transducer	4. See TRANSDUCER, A/C PRESSURE . Test the transducer and replace if required.
	4. Inoperative A/C-heater control, PCM/ECM (depending on engine application), Gateway Module or TIPM	4. See appropriate FAULT ISOLATION article - DTC Based Diagnostics. Test the A/C-heater control, PCM/ECM (depending on engine application), Gateway Module and TIPM and replace if required.
Normal refrigerant pressures, but A/C Performance Test air temperatures at center panel outlet are too high	1. Excessive refrigerant oil in system	1. See HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING/PLUMBING/OIL, REFRIGERANT - STANDARD PROCEDURE . Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system and inspect the refrigerant oil content. Restore the refrigerant oil to the proper level if required.
	2. Temperature control cable improperly installed or inoperative	2. See Body/Instrument Panel/BEZEL, Instrument Panel . Inspect the cable for proper operation. Replace the cable as required.
	3. Blend door inoperative or sealing improperly	3. See HOUSING, HVAC . Inspect the blend door for proper operation and sealing. Repair if required.
	4. Blend door not in full cold position	4. See Temperature Control Cable. REFER TO Body/Instrument Panel/BEZEL, Instrument Panel . Inspect the cable for proper operation. Replace the cable as required.
The low side pressure is normal or slightly low, and the high side pressure is too low	1. Low refrigerant system charge	1. See REFRIGERANT SYSTEM LEAKS . Test the refrigerant system for leaks. Repair, evacuate and charge the refrigerant system if required.
	2. Refrigerant flow through the A/C evaporator is restricted	2. See EVAPORATOR, A/C . Replace the restricted A/C evaporator if required.
	3. Inoperative A/C compressor	3. See COMPRESSOR, A/C . Replace the compressor if required.
The low side pressure is normal or slightly high, and the high side pressure is too high	1. A/C condenser air flow restricted	1. See A/C Condenser in this group. Check the A/C condenser for damaged fins, foreign objects obstructing air flow through the condenser fins, and missing or improperly installed air seals. Clean, repair or replace components as required.
	2. Refrigerant flow through the accumulator is restricted	2. See Accumulator in this group. Replace the restricted accumulator if required.
	3. Inoperative radiator cooling fan	3. See Group 7 - Cooling. Test the radiator cooling fan and replace if required.
	4. Refrigerant system overcharged	4. See Refrigerant System Charge in this group. Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system. Charge the refrigerant system to the proper level if required.
	5. Air in the refrigerant system	5. See REFRIGERANT SYSTEM LEAKS . Test the refrigerant system for leaks. Repair, evacuate and charge the refrigerant system if required.
	6. Engine overheating	6. See Group 7 - Cooling. Test the engine cooling system and repair if required.
The low side pressure is too high, and the high side pressure is too low	1. Accessory drive belt slipping	1. See Group 7 - Cooling. Inspect the accessory drive belt condition and tension. Replace the accessory drive belt or tensioner if required.
	2. Inoperative A/C orifice tube	2. See A/C Orifice Tube in this group. Test the A/C orifice tube. Replace A/C liquid line if required.
	3. Inoperative A/C compressor	3. See A/C Compressor in this group. Replace the compressor if required.
The low side pressure is too low, and the high side pressure is too high	1. Restricted refrigerant flow through the refrigerant lines	1. See A/C Liquid Line, Suction Line and Discharge Line in this group. Inspect the refrigerant lines for kinks, tight bends or improper routing. Correct the routing or replace the refrigerant line if required.
	2. Restricted refrigerant flow through the A/C orifice tube	2. See A/C Orifice Tube in this group. Test the A/C orifice tube. Replace A/C liquid line if required.
	3. Restricted refrigerant flow through the A/C condenser	3. See A/C Condenser in this group. Replace the restricted condenser if required.