Diagnostic Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2017 Mazda 3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

AIR FROM VENTS NOT COLD ENOUGH (MANUAL AIR CONDITIONER) DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE

Step	Inspection		Action
1	INSPECT REFRIGERANT PRESSURE TO LOCATE MALFUNCTION Perform refrigerant pressure check. (See REFRIGERANT PRESSURE CHECK .) Is the refrigerant pressure normal?	Yes	Go to the next step.
1		No	Record the inspection result. If the refrigerant high-pressure and low-pressure values are both high, go to Step 5. If the refrigerant high-pressure and low-pressure values are approximately the same, go to Step 8. If the refrigerant high-pressure and low-pressure values are both low, go to Step 10. If there is a vacuum on the low pressure side and extremely low pressure on the high pressure side, go to Step 16. If there is low pressure on the high pressure side and high pressure on the low pressure side, replace the A/C compressor, then go to Step 20. (See A/C COMPRESSOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) If the refrigerant pressure is other than above condition, go to Step 18.
2	INSPECT REFRIGERANT SYSTEM PERFORMANCE Perform refrigerant system performance test. (See REFRIGERANT SYSTEM PERFORMANCE TEST .) Is the operation normal?	Yes	Operation is normal. (Recheck malfunction symptoms.)
2		No	Go to the next step.
3	INSPECT DRIVE BELT Inspect the drive belt. (See DRIVE BELT INSPECTION [SKYACTIV-G 2.0, SKYACTIV-G 2.5] .) Is it normal?	Yes	Go to the next step.
3		No	Adjust or replace the drive belt, then the next step. (See DRIVE BELT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [SKYACTIV-G 2.0, SKYACTIV-G 2.5] .)
4	INSPECT REFRIGERANT PRESSURE SENSOR Inspect the refrigerant pressure sensor. (See REFRIGERANT PRESSURE SENSOR INSPECTION [MANUAL AIR CONDITIONER] .) Is it normal?	Yes	Go to the next step.
4		No	Repair or replace malfunctioning part according to inspection result, then go to Step 20.
5	INSPECT COOLING FAN OPERATION Verify the cooling fan operation. (See ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM OPERATION INSPECTION [SKYACTIV-G 2.0, SKYACTIV-G 2.5] .) Is the cooling fan operation normal?	Yes	Go to the next step.
5		No	Repair or replace the malfunctioning location according to the inspection results. Then go to Step 20.
6	VISUALLY INSPECT CONDENSER Is the condenser fin clogged or obstructed by foreign material?	Yes	Remove the foreign material. Repair the condenser fin. Then go to Step 20.
6		No	Go to the next step.
7	CHECK REFRIGERATION SYSTEM FOR OVERCHARGE OR AIR CONTAMINATION Is the low side line hot to the touch?	Yes	Recover refrigerant. Evacuate system for one hour. Refill with correct amount of refrigerant, and go to step 20.
7		No	Recover refrigerant, evacuate for 15 minutes, refill with correct amount and go to step 19.
8	CHECK TO SEE WHETHER MALFUNCTION IS IN EXPANSION VALVE OR ELSEWHERE Compare the refrigerant pressure of the low pressure side with the high pressure side at Step 1. Is there little difference between the high pressure side and low pressure side readings (refer to graph in REFRIGERANT PRESSURE CHECK procedure)? (See REFRIGERANT PRESSURE CHECK .)	Yes	Replace the expansion valve. After performing the following servicing, go to Step 20. Adjust the compressor oil to the specified level. After discharging, charge with new refrigerant to the specified level.
8		No	Go to the next step.
9	INSPECT AIR MIX DOOR RELATED PART INSTALLATION Remove the A/C unit. (See A/C UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) Are the air mix link, and air mix crank of the A/C unit correctly and securely installed to their positions?	Yes	Adjust the compressor oil to the specified amount, then go to Step 20. (See A/C COMPRESSOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
9		No	Inspect the air mix link and air mix crank of the A/C unit correctly and securely installed to their positions. (See A/C UNIT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .) Repair or install correctly for suspect part according to inspection result, then go to Step 20.
10	INSPECT BLOWER UNIT FOR BLOCKAGE Is the blower unit intake and air filter clogged? (See AIR FILTER INSPECTION .)	Yes	Remove the cause of the clogging. Replace the air filter if it is clogged. (See AIR FILTER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) Then go to Step 20.
10		No	Go to the next step.
11	CHECK TO SEE WHETHER MALFUNCTION IS REFRIGERANT LINE LEAKAGE OR ELSEWHERE Verify if there is gas leakage from the system hoses using the gas leak tester. Is there gas leakage?	Yes	If there is leakage from a system hose connection area, go to Step 13. If there is leakage other than from a system hose connection area, go to Step 15.
11		No	Go to the next step.
12	VISUALLY INSPECT REFRIGERANT LINE Is a system hose crushed?	Yes	Replace the crushed system hose. (See REFRIGERANT LINE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) After performing the following servicing, go to Step 20. Adjust the compressor oil to the specified level. After discharging, charge with new refrigerant to the specified level.
12		No	Go to Step 19.
13	CHECK TO SEE WHETHER MALFUNCTION IS IN REFRIGERANT LINE JOINT LOOSE OR O-RING Tighten the system hose connection area to the specified torque. (See REFRIGERANT LINE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) Has the leakage stopped?	Yes	Go to the next step.
13		No	Go to Step 15.
14	VISUALLY INSPECT REFRIGERANT LINE Is a system hose crushed?	Yes	Replace the crushed system hose. (See REFRIGERANT LINE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) After performing the following servicing, go to Step 20. Adjust the compressor oil to the specified level. After discharging, charge with new refrigerant to the specified level.
14		No	Adjust the compressor oil to the specified amount, then go to Step 20. (See A/C COMPRESSOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)
15	VISUALLY INSPECT REFRIGERANT LINE Is a system hose crushed?	Yes	Replace the O-ring of the leaking area. Replace the crushed system hose. (See REFRIGERANT LINE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) After performing the following servicing, go to Step 20. Adjust the compressor oil to the specified level. After discharging, charge with new refrigerant to the specified level.
15		No	Replace the O-ring of the leaking area. After performing the following servicing, go to Step 20. Adjust the compressor oil to the specified level. After discharging, charge with new refrigerant to the specified level.
16	CHECK TO SEE WHETHER MALFUNCTION IS WATER IN REFRIGERANT SYSTEM OR ELSEWHERE Is there is no refrigerant pressure on the low pressure side, or is it normal?	Yes	Replace the condenser. (Water in refrigerant system) (See CONDENSER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) Go to Step 20.
16		No	Go to the next step.
17	CHECK TO SEE WHETHER MALFUNCTION IS IN RECEIVER DRYER FILTER OR EXPANSION VALVE Remove the expansion valve and verify its condition. (See EXPANSION VALVE REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) Is there refrigerant leakage or valve clogging?	Yes	If there is foreign matter clogging the valve: Remove the foreign matter. If there is refrigerant leakage or clogging: Replace the expansion valve. Perform discharge, charge with new refrigerant, and then go to Step 20.
17		No	Replace the condenser. (Receiver/Dryer filter is clogged.) (See CONDENSER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) Then go to Step 20.
18	INSPECT EVAPORATIVE TEMPERATURE SENSOR Inspect the evaporator temperature sensor. (See EVAPORATOR TEMPERATURE SENSOR INSPECTION [MANUAL AIR CONDITIONER] .) Is it normal?	Yes	Verify the evaporator temperature sensor position. (See A/C UNIT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .) Then go to Step 20.
18		No	Replace the evaporator temperature sensor, then go to Step 21. (See A/C UNIT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .)
19	INSPECT AIR MIX DOOR RELATED PART INSTALLATION Remove the A/C unit. (See A/C UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .) Are the air mix link, and air mix crank of the A/C unit correctly and securely installed to their positions?	Yes	Go to the next step.
19		No	Inspect the air mix link and air mix crank of the A/C unit correctly and securely installed to their positions. (See A/C UNIT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .) Repair or install correctly for suspect part according to inspection result, then go to next Step.
20	VERIFY THAT MALFUNCTION SYMPTOM DOES OCCURS AFTER REPAIR If the refrigerant discharged during inspection has not been recharged, discharge and charge with new refrigerant to the specified level. Does cool air blow out? (Are results of refrigerant system performance test normal?)	Yes	Troubleshooting completed. Explain repairs to customer.
20		No	Recheck malfunction symptoms, then repeat from Step 1 if malfunction recurs.