GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 2003 🢒 LeSabre 🢒 HVAC 🢒 HVAC Systems - Automatic 🢒 HVAC Compressor Clutch Does Not Engage

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. Placing the mode switch in any position other than OFF, along with placing the air temperature control switch in a cold setting, activates A/C operation. For the purpose of this and future steps where A/C operation is necessary, bi-level mode is used for consistent testing.

    2.

  2. The HVAC control assembly is inoperative when the module does not respond to any operator control requests to enable the A/C compressor. The blower motor may still operate independent of the A/C controls.

  1. The A/C compressor relay output is disabled if engine coolant temperature is above 121°C (250°F).

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: HVAC Schematics

Connector End View Reference: HVAC Connector End Views

DEFINITION: The A/C compressor clutch will not engage when an A/C request has been made and a Powertrain DTC has not been set.

1

Did you perform the HVAC Diagnostic System Check?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - HVAC Systems - Automatic

2

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With a scan tool, perform the Recalibrate all Motors command in Instrument Panel Module Special Functions.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs?

Go to Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) List

Go to Step 3

3

Important: : Ambient air temperature must be above 3°C (38°F).

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Place the blower motor switch in the maximum speed position.
  3. Place the mode switch in the defrost position.
  4. Place the air temperature switch in the coldest position.

Does the A/C compressor operate?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems

Go to Step 4

4
  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, then allow the A/C system to equalize, about 2 minutes.
  4. Turn OFF the ignition.
  5. Install the J 43600 .
  6. Record the ambient air temperature at the vehicle.
  7. Record readings of the low and high side STATIC pressures.
  8. Compare the low and high side pressure values with the allowable limits for the recorded ambient air temperature. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Are the low and high side pressure values within the allowable limits for the recorded ambient air temperature, and within 103 kPa (15 psi) of each other?

Go to Step 5

Go to Leak Testing in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

5
  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. With a scan tool, observe the A/C High Side pressure sensor parameter in the powertrain control module (PCM) Engine Data 2 List.
  3. Compare the A/C high side pressure on the scan tool to the high side pressure value on the ACR2000.

Are the high side pressure values with 103 kPa (15 psi) of each other?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 25

6

Is the HVAC control module inoperative?

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 7

7
  1. Start the engine.
  2. With a scan tool, observe the A/C Relay Command parameter in the Powertrain Data List.
  3. Place the air temperature switch in the coldest position.

Does the scan tool indicate that the A/C Relay Command parameter is ON?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 8

8

With a scan tool, observe the A/C Clutch, desired, parameter in the DIM A/C Information list.

Does the scan tool indicate that the A/C Clutch (desired) parameter is ON?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9

With a scan tool, observe the A/C Clutch, actual, parameter in the DIM A/C Information list.

Does the scan tool indicate that the A/C Clutch, actual, parameter is ON?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 35

10

With a scan tool, observe the Control Head, desired, parameter in the DIM A/C Information list.

Does the scan tool indicate that the Control Head, desired, parameter is ON?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 13

11

With a scan tool, observe the Pressure Status parameter in the DIM A/C Information list.

Does the scan tool indicate that the Pressure Status parameter is Normal?

Go to Step 12

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems

12

With a scan tool, observe the Temperature Status parameter in the DIM A/C Information list.

Does the scan tool indicate that the Temperature Status parameter is OK?

Go to Step 32

Go to Engine Overheating in Engine Cooling

13
  1. With a scan tool, observe the Control Head, desired, parameter in the DIM A/C Information List.
  2. Place the mode switch in the defrost position.

Does the scan tool indicate that the Control Head, desired, parameter turn ON and OFF with each command?

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 34

14

With a scan tool, command the A/C compressor clutch relay ON and OFF.

Does the A/C compressor clutch relay turn ON and OFF with each command?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 15

15
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the A/C compressor clutch relay.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Probe the coil side ignition 3 voltage circuit of the A/C compressor clutch relay with a test lamp that is connected to a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 28

16
  1. Connect a test lamp between the A/C compressor clutch relay control circuit of the A/C compressor clutch relay and the coil side ignition 3 voltage circuit of the A/C compressor clutch relay.
  2. With a scan tool, command the A/C compressor clutch relay ON and OFF.

Does the test lamp turn ON and OFF with each command?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 17

17

Does the test lamp remain illuminated with each command?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 22

18
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the A/C compressor clutch relay.
  3. Probe the switch side battery positive voltage circuit of the A/C compressor clutch relay with a test lamp that is connected to a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 27

19

Connect a 10-amp fused jumper wire between the switch side battery positive voltage circuit of the A/C compressor clutch relay and the A/C compressor clutch supply voltage circuit of the A/C compressor clutch.

Does the A/C compressor clutch engage?

Go to Step 30

Go to Step 24

20

Test the ignition 3 voltage circuit of the HVAC control module for a short to ground, a high resistance, or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 21

21

Test the ground circuit of the HVAC control module for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 34

22

Test the A/C compressor clutch relay control circuit of the A/C compressor clutch relay for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 35

23

Test the A/C compressor clutch relay control circuit of the A/C compressor clutch relay for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 35

24

Test the A/C compressor clutch supply voltage circuit at the A/C compressor clutch for a short to ground, a high resistance, or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 26

25

Test the ground circuit of the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 29

26

Test the ground circuit of the A/C compressor clutch for a high resistance or an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 33

27

Repair the switch side battery positive voltage circuit of the A/C compressor clutch relay. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 43

--

28

Repair the coil side ignition 3 voltage circuit of the A/C compressor clutch relay. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 43

--

29

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 38

30

Inspect for poor connections at the A/C compressor clutch relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 39

31

Inspect for poor connections at the instrument panel integration module (IPM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 36

32

Inspect for poor connections at the DIM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 37

33

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the A/C compressor clutch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 40

34

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the HVAC control module. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 41

35

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the powertrain control module (PCM). Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 43

Go to Step 42

36

Replace the IPM. Refer to Instrument Panel Module Replacement in Body Control System.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 43

--

37

Replace the DIM. Refer to Dash Integration Module Replacement in Body Control System.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 43

--

38

Replace the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) Refrigerant Pressure Sensor Replacement in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 43

--

39

Replace the A/C compressor clutch relay. Refer to Compressor Relay Replacement in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 43

--

40

Replace the A/C compressor clutch. Refer to Air Conditioning Clutch Coil Removal and Air Conditioning Clutch Coil Installation in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 43

--

41

Replace the HVAC control module. Refer to HVAC Control Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 43

--

42

Important:  Perform the programming procedure for the PCM.

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement in Engine Controls - 3.8 L.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 43

--

43

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 4