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Home >> GMC >> 2003 >> Safari Van Cargo, AWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 1615 (Heating, Ventilation, And Air Conditioning) >> Diagnostic Information and Procedures >> Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LY7 Red Line) >> Test Description

Test Description

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.

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
IMPORTANT:
  • 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. 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 the J 43600  ACR 2000 Air Conditioning Service Center. See Special Tools .
  6. Record the ambient air temperature displayed on the J 43600  . See Special Tools .
  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 (With HP5)  or Leak Testing (Without HP5) 
    IMPORTANT: 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 driver 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 the temperature probes of the J 43600  in the left and right center panel air outlets. See Special Tools .
  5. Apply the parking brake.
  6. Place the transaxle/transmission in one of the following positions:
    • PARK (Automatic)
    • NEUTRAL (Manual)
  7. Start the engine.
  8. Operate the A/C system for 5 minutes.
  9. Inspect A/C components for the following conditions:
    • Abnormal frost areas
    • Unusual noises
  10. IMPORTANT: Press the RESET button, before using the print function of the J 43600  . See Special Tools .
  11. Print the following information:
    • The panel outlet air temperatures
    • The low-side pressure
    • The high-side pressure
  12. 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?
- Go to Step 8  Go to Step 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. RESET the J 43600  and record the pressures and temperatures again. See Special Tools .
  3. Compare the low and high side pressures and the panel output temperature to the A/C Performance Table.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the A/C Performance Table?
- Go to Step 8  Go to Step 4 
4 Do the high and low side pressures fall within the specified ranges, but the panel outlet temperatures do not? - Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone A (with HP5)  or Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone A (without HP5)  Go to Step 5 
5 Is the low side pressure greater than the specified range, but the high side pressure within or less than the specified range? - Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone B  Go to Step 6 
6 Are the low and high side pressures both greater than the specified ranges? - Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone C  Go to Step 7 
7 Is the high side pressure greater than the specified range, but the low side pressure is within or less than the specified range? - Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone D (without HP5)  or Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone D (with HP5)  Go to Step 8 
8 Operate the system in order to verify the test results.
Did you find the same results?
- System OK Go to Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Manual
Fig 1: A/C System Pressure - Zone Classification
GM2005407Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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% 151-213 kPa (22-31 psi) 1240-1570 kPa (180-228 psi) 8°C (46°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F) Below 40% 151-213 kPa (22-31 psi) 1260-1577 kPa (183-229 psi) 8°C (46°F)
Above 40% 151-248 kPa (22-36 psi) 1357-1646 kPa (197-239 psi) 10°C (50°F)
25-29°C (76-85°F) Below 35% 151-234 kPa (22-34 psi) 1446-1688 kPa (210-245 psi) 10°C (50°F)
35-50% 165-248 kPa (24-36 psi) 1488-1756 kPa (216-255 psi) 10°C (50°F)
Above 50% 179-268 kPa (26-39 psi) 1522-1791 kPa (221-260 psi) 13°C (54°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F) Below 30% 179-261 kPa (26-38 psi) 1543-1853 kPa (224-269 psi) 13°C (54°F)
30-50% 192-275 kPa (28-40 psi) 1543-1818 kPa (224-264 psi) 13°C (55°F)
Above 50% 206-289 kPa (30-42 psi) 1577-1777 kPa (229-258 psi) 14°C (57°F)
36-41°C (96-105°F) Below 20% 213-296 kPa (31-43 psi) 1791-2032 kPa (260-295 psi) 14°C (57°F)
20-40% 220-303 kPa (32-44 psi) 1777-1970 kPa (258-286 psi) 15°C (59°F)
Above 40% 227-303 kPa (33-44 psi) 1750-1908 kPa (254-277 psi) 17°C (61°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F) Below 20% 254-323 kPa (37-47 psi) 1977-2177 kPa (287-316 psi) 18°C (63°F)
Above 20% 254-323 kPa (37-47 psi) 1949-2087 kPa (283-303 psi) 18°C (63°F)
47-49°C (116-120°F) Below 30% 282-351 kPa (41-51 psi) 2101-2397 kPa (305-348 psi) 19°C (66°F)