Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (R-1234yf)
Technicians repairing or servicing motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) must be trained and certified by an EPA approved organization. Certification is obtained by passing an EPA approved examination. (http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/609/technicians/609certs.html).
This test measures the operating efficiency of the A/C system under the following conditions:
- The current ambient air temperature
- The current relative humidity
- The high side pressure of the A/C system
- The low side pressure of the A/C system
- The temperature of the air being discharged into the passenger compartment
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
- 1
This step determines if the A/C system has at least the minimum refrigerant charge required to operate the system without damage.
- 2
This step measures the performance of the A/C system.
- 3
This step is to allow for vehicle variations as well as high ambient temperatures.
| Step | Action | Values | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
NOTE:
|
||||
| 1 |
|
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. |
- | Go to Step 5 | Go to Step 3 |
| 3 | If the pressures and temperatures recorded do not fall within the specified ranges:
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. Refer to 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 |
| Ambient Temperature | Relative Humidity | Low Side Service Port Pressure | High Side Service Port Pressure | Maximum Left Center Discharge Air Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-18°C (55-64°F) | 0-100% | 179-241 kPa (26-35 psi) | 937-1198 kPa (136-174 psi) | 8°C (45°F) |
| 19-24°C (66-75°F) | Less than 40% | 172-248 kPa (25-36 psi) | 999-1267 kPa (145-184 psi) | 5°C (41°F) |
| Greater than 40% | 192-261 kPa (28-38 psi) | 1047-1309 kPa (152-190 psi) | 7°C (43°F) | |
| 25-29°C (77-84°F) | Less than 35% | 199-261 kPa (29-38 psi) | 1171-1391 kPa (170-202 psi) | 7°C (43°F) |
| 35-50% | 206-261 kPa (30-38 psi) | 1191-1391 kPa (173-202 psi) | 12°C (54°F) | |
| Greater than 50% | 213-275 kPa (32-40 psi) | 1198-1391 kPa (174-202 psi) | 8°C (45°F) | |
| 30-35°C (86-95°F) | Less than 30% | 213-275 kPa (31-40 psi) | 1309-1543 kPa (190-224 psi) | 13°C (55°F) |
| 30-50% | 220-282 kPa (32-41 psi) | 1309-1522 kPa (190-221 psi) | 9°C (48°F) | |
| Greater than 50% | 227-289 kPa (33-42 psi) | 1309-1502 kPa (190-218 psi) | 17°C (62°F) | |
| 36-41°C (97-106°F) | Less than 20% | 234-289 kPa (34-42 psi) | 1481-1708 kPa (215-248 psi) | 10°C (50°F) |
| 20-40% | 234-296 kPa (34-43 psi) | 1467-1667 kPa (213-242 psi) | 12°C (52°F) | |
| Greater than 40% | 241-296 kPa (35-43 psi) | 1446-1639 kPa (210-238 psi) | 18°C (64°F) | |
| 42-46°C (108-115°F) | Less than 20% | 248-310 kPa (36-45 psi) | 1646-1839 kPa (239-267 psi) | 13°C (54°F) |
| Greater than 20% | 254-310 kPa (37-45 psi) | 1632-1791 kPa (237-260 psi) | 18°C (64°F) | |
| 47-49°C (117-120°F) | Below 30% | 268-323 kPa (39-63 psi) | 1756-1942 kPa (255-282 psi) | 14°C (57°F) |