LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone
Home >> Chrysler >> 2009 >> PT Cruiser Limited >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Heating, Ventilation & A/C (HVAC) >> HVAC Control Systems >> HVAC Systems (Service Information) >> Diagnosis and Testing >> A/C Performance >> A/C Performance Test

A/C Performance Test

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 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 takes up to 3 or 4 "reclaim" cycles to remove all of the refrigerant charge. 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.
  1. Using a scan tool, check for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Engine Control Module (ECM) (depending on engine application), Cabin Compartment Node (CCN), gateway module and the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). If no DTCs are found, go to  2. If any DTCs are found, repair as required, then proceed to  2.
  2. Connect a tachometer and a manifold gauge set or an A/C recycling/charging station.
  3. Operate the heating-A/C system under the following conditions.
    • Engine at 1,000 RPM at operating temperature
    • Doors or windows open
    • Transaxle in Park or Neutral with parking brake set (depending on application)
    • A/C-heater controls set to Recirculation mode (max-A/C), full cool, panel mode, high blower and with A/C compressor engaged. If the A/C compressor does not engage, see the A/C SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS .
    NOTE: This procedure requires the technician to know what the temperature and relative humidity is at the time of the test. This information can be obtained from multiple sources, such as the Internet or local news media. When the temperature is above 21° C (70° F), it must be combined with humidity to calculate the apparent ambient air temperature. Use the current ambient temperature and the relative humidity in your location.
  4. Insert a thermometer in the driver side center panel air outlet and operate the A/C system until the thermometer temperature stabilizes.
    NOTE: The compressor clutch may cycle while performing this test, depending upon the ambient temperature and humidity. If the clutch cycles, use the readings obtained before the clutch disengaged.
  5. With the A/C compressor clutch engaged, compare the air temperature at the center panel outlet and the compressor discharge pressure (high side) to the A/C Performance Temperature and Pressure chart.
    A/C PERFORMANCE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE - (Non-Turbo Engines Only)

    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  -2 - 6° C (29-42° F) 2-10° C (37-49° F) 7-15° C (45-58° F) 11-19° C (52-65° F) 15-23° C (59-72° F)
    Compressor Discharge Pressure  999-1206 kPa (145-175 PSI) 1033-1378 kPa (150-200 PSI 1240-1757 kPa (180-255 PSI) 1584-2136 kPa (230-310 PSI) 2067-2722 kPa (300-395 PSI)
    Accumulator Out Pressure at Service Port  122-221 kPa (18-32 PSI) 137-235 kPa (20-34 PSI) 186-290 kpa (27-42 PSI) 220-324 kpa (32-47 PSI) 275-379 kPa (40-55 PSI)
    A/C PERFORMANCE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE - (2.4L Turbo Engine Only)

    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 - 16° C (43-60° F) 11-21° C (52-69° F) 16-25° C (60-76° F) 17-28° C (63-83° F) 19-32° C (67-89° F)
    Compressor Discharge Pressure  1139-1795 kPa (165-260 PSI) 1828-2070 kPa (265-300 PSI 1932-2070 kPa (280-300 PSI) 1932-2484 kPa (280-360 PSI) 2104-2898 kPa (305-420 PSI)
    Accumulator Out Pressure at Service Port  195-319 kPa (28-46 PSI) 257-381 kPa (37-55 PSI) 312-443 kpa (45-64 PSI) 332-512 kpa (48-74 PSI) 360-581 kPa (52-84 PSI)
  6. If the air outlet temperature fails to meet the specifications in the A/C Performance Temperature and Pressure chart, or if the A/C compressor discharge pressure is high, see the A/C SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS .
A/C SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS

Condition Possible Causes Correction
Rapid A/C compressor clutch cycling (ten or more cycles per minute)

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.
Equal pressures, but the compressor clutch does not engage

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 clutch coil or wiring

2. See A/C CLUTCH COIL SPECIFICATIONS . Test the compressor clutch field coil and replace if required.

3. Improperly installed or inoperative A/C low pressure switch

3. See A/C LOW PRESSURE SWITCH . Correctly install or test the switch and replace if required.

4. Improperly installed or inoperative A/C high pressure switch

4. See A/C HIGH PRESSURE SWITCH . Test the switch and replace if required.

5. Inoperative PCM/ECM (depending on engine application), CCN, gateway module or TIPM

5. See the appropriate Electrical Diagnostic Procedures for testing of the PCM/ECM (depending on engine application), CCN, gateway module and TIPM. Test the modules and replace if required.
Normal pressures, but A/C Performance Test air temperatures at center panel outlet are too high

1. Excessive refrigerant oil in system

1. See REFRIGERANT OIL LEVEL . 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 TEMPERATURE CONTROL . Inspect the cable for proper operation. Replace the cable if 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 . Inspect the cable for proper operation. Replace the cable if 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.

4. Restricted refrigerant flow through the refrigerant lines

4. See Plumbing . Inspect the refrigerant lines for kinks, tight bends or improper routing. Correct the routing or replace the refrigerant line 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 CONDENSER, A/C . 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 A/C accumulator is restricted.

2. See ACCUMULATOR . Replace the restricted accumulator if required.

3. Inoperative radiator cooling fan

3. See COOLING . Test the radiator cooling fan and replace if required.

4. Refrigerant system overcharged

4. See REFRIGERANT SYSTEM CHARGE . 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 COOLING . Test the engine cooling system and repair if required.

7. Restricted refrigerant flow through the refrigerant lines

7. See Plumbing . Inspect the refrigerant lines for kinks, tight bends or improper routing. Correct the routing or replace the refrigerant line if required.
The low side pressure is too high, and the high side pressure is too low

1. Accessory drive belt slipping

1. See COOLING . Inspect the accessory drive belt condition and tension. Tighten or replace the accessory drive belt if required.

2. Inoperative A/C variable orifice tube

2. See TUBE, A/C Orifice . Replace A/C liquid line if required.

3. Inoperative A/C compressor

3. See COMPRESSOR, A/C . Replace the compressor if required.

4. Restricted refrigerant flow through the refrigerant lines

4. See Plumbing . Inspect the refrigerant lines for kinks, tight bends or improper routing. Correct the routing or replace the refrigerant line 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 Plumbing . 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 TUBE, A/C Orifice . Replace A/C liquid line if required.

3. Restricted refrigerant flow through the A/C condenser

3. See CONDENSER, A/C . Replace the restricted condenser if required.
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals