DEFINITION: The low side pressure is lower than normal and the high side pressure is higher than normal.

1

Were you sent here from the A/C System Performance Test?

Go to Step 2

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

Warning: Refer to Moving Parts and Hot Surfaces Warning in the Preface section.

Feel the liquid line before the expansion device.

Is the liquid line cold before the expansion device?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 8

Feel along the surfaces of the following high side components for a sudden drop in temperature. The high side components should feel warm/hot from the compressor all the way to the expansion device.

Did you detect an abrupt drop in temperature along the surfaces of any of the listed components?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 4

1. Feel the liquid line at the expansion device location for extreme cold, possibly accompanied by heavy frost.
2. Feel along the liquid line after the expansion device location for warm temperature.

Is the liquid line extremely cold at the expansion device location and warm after the expansion device location?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 5

Feel along the surfaces of the following low side components for a sudden change in temperature:

Did you detect an abrupt temperature change felt along the surfaces of any of the listed components?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

Feel along the surfaces of low and high side components to compare the overall temperatures:

Are the temperatures of these components only mildly warm?

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 8

1. Recover the refrigerant. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging.
2. Remove the restriction from the component, or replace the component which produced an abrupt temperature drop.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Step 9

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1. Recover the refrigerant and evacuate the system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging.
2. Record the weight of the recovered refrigerant.
3. Compare the weight of the recovered refrigerant with the system capacity. Refer to Refrigerant System Capacities.

Is the weight of the recovered refrigerant charge greater than 75% of the total system capacity?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

Recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging.

Is the cooling performance improved?

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 10

1. Leak test the system. Refer to Leak Testing.
2. Repair any leaks.

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 21

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1. The expansion device is restricted.
2. Replace the expansion device. Refer to Air Conditioning Evaporator Thermal Expansion Valve Replacement.
3. If the expansion device was restricted, note the type of debris present.

Are metal flakes present?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

1. Remove the suction hose from the vehicle. Refer to Suction Hose Replacement.
2. Inspect the hose for debris by blowing shop air through one end of the hose while covering the other end with a shop towel.
3. Observe the amount of debris collected in the shop towel.

Did a large amount of debris collect in the shop towel?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 20

If the expansion device was restricted with a brown or black residue, perform the following procedure:

1. Flush the A/C system. Refer to Flushing.
2. Replace the condenser. Refer to Air Conditioning Condenser Replacement.

Are the repairs complete?

Go to Step 21

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1. Recover the refrigerant. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging.
2. Disconnect the discharge hose from the compressor. Refer to Discharge Hose Replacement.
3. Disconnect the suction hose from the compressor. Refer to Suction Hose Replacement.
4. Inspect for the presence of debris in the compressor suction port.

Is there debris present in the compressor suction port?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 19

1. Remove the debris from the suction port.
2. Inspect the expansion device for damage or debris. Refer to Air Conditioning Evaporator Thermal Expansion Valve Replacement.

Did you find evidence of damage or debris?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 16

If the expansion device does not show any signs of damage or debris, perform the following procedure:

1. Remove the discharge hose from the vehicle. Refer to Discharge Hose Replacement.
2. Remove the suction hose from the vehicle. Refer to Suction Hose Replacement.
3. Inspect the hoses for debris by blowing shop air through one end of the hose while covering the other end with a shop towel.
4. Observe the amount of debris collected in the shop towel.

Did a large amount of debris collected in the shop towel?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 19

1. Replace the expansion device. Refer to Air Conditioning Evaporator Thermal Expansion Valve Replacement.
2. If the expansion device was restricted, note the type of debris present.

Are metal flakes present?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

If a large amount of debris collected in the shop towel from the discharge hose or the suction hose, perform the following procedure:

Replace the condenser. Refer to Air Conditioning Condenser Replacement.

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 19

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Are the actions complete?

Go to Step 21

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1. Install the discharge hose. Refer to Discharge Hose Replacement.
2. Install the suction hose. Refer to Suction Hose Replacement.
3. Recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging.

Are the actions complete?

Go to Step 21

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1. Record the low and high side pressures and the instrument panel outlet air temperature after you perform the repairs.
2. Compare the pressures and instrument panel outlet air temperature to those listed in the A/C Performance Chart. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test.

Are the readings within the specified ranges as shown on the A/C Performance Chart?

Go to Step 22

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you find and correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Automatic or Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Manual