Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LCV)
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 |
| 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% | 151-248 kPa (22-36 psi) | 792-1233 kPa (115-179 psi) | 7°C (45°F) |
| 19-24°C (66-75°F) | Less than 40% | 151-261 kPa (22-38 psi) | 792-1212 kPa (115-176 psi) | 8°C (46°F) |
| Greater than 40% | 179-296 kPa (26-43 psi) | 937-1350 kPa (136-196 psi) | 10°C (50°F) | |
| 25-29°C (77-84°F) | Less than 35% | 199-289 kPa (29-42 psi) | 1040-1350 kPa (151-196 psi) | 10°C (50°F) |
| 35-50% | 213-303 kPa (31-44 psi) | 1109-1378 kPa (161-200 psi) | 12°C (54°F) | |
| Greater than 50% | 227-323 kPa (33-47 psi) | 1157-1440 kPa (168-209 psi) | 13°C (55°F) | |
| 30-35°C (86-95°F) | Less than 30% | 234-323 kPa (34-47 psi) | 1219-1529 kPa (177-222 psi) | 13°C (55°F) |
| 30-50% | 248-337 kPa (36-49 psi) | 1260-1543 kPa (183-224 psi) | 14°C (57°F) | |
| Greater than 50% | 261-358 kPa (38-52 psi) | 1302-1557 kPa (189-226 psi) | 15°C (59°F) | |
| 36-41°C (97-106°F) | Less than 20% | 275-365 kPa (40-53 psi) | 1440-1743 kPa (209-253 psi) | 17°C (63°F) |
| 20-40% | 282-372 kPa (41-54 psi) | 1446-1722 kPa (210-250 psi) | 18°C (64°F) | |
| Greater than 40% | 289-378 kPa (42-55 psi) | 1460-1701 kPa (212-247 psi) | 18°C (64°F) | |
| 42-46°C (108-115°F) | Less than 20% | 316-399 kPa (46-58 psi) | 1667-1922 kPa (242-279 psi) | 19°C (66°F) |
| Greater than 20% | 323-406 kPa (47-59 psi) | 1660-1867 kPa (241-271 psi) | 20°C (68°F) | |
| 47-49°C (117-120°F) | Below 30% | 358-434 kPa (52-63 psi) | 1839-2060 kPa (267-299 psi) | 23°C (73°F) |