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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 2004 🢒 Rainier - 2WD 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 4.2L 🢒 HVAC Compressor Clutch Does Not Engage

Diagnostic Aids
    • The A/C compressor is protected from overheating by the compressor temperature switch, which is mounted at the rear of the A/C compressor. The switch is wired internally to the compressor and is not serviceable. The switch opens and disengages the compressor clutch when temperatures reach 135°C (275°F). The switch closes when the compressor temperature cools to 120°C (248°F).
    • A/C compressor clutch will not engage under the following conditions:
       - The A/C high side line pressure is over 2413 kPa (350 psi).
       - The A/C low side line pressure is under 151 kPa (22 psi).
       - Throttle angle is at 100 percent.
       - Engine speed is more than 5500 RPM.
       - Engine coolant temperature (ECT) is more than 123°C (253°F).
       - Ambient air temperature is less than 1°C (35°F).
       - Engine is idling at a low unstable RPM.

Compressor clutch engagement cannot be used to determine status of the low pressure switch. The low pressure switch is one of several inputs to the HVAC control module for A/C request authorization. A/C request is one of several inputs to the powertrain control module (PCM) that control A/C compressor clutch engagement.

Using a scan tool to monitor low pressure switch status while monitoring the low side pressure with the ACR 2000 at the service port and watch the pressure at which the switch opens/closes is imperative to successfully diagnosing the switch.

Test Description

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

  1. The A/C compressor output is disabled if the engine is idling at a low unstable RPM.

    2.

  2. The A/C compressor relay output is disabled if engine coolant temperature is above 123°C (253°F). The engine coolant indicator will illuminate at this temperature.

    3.

  3. This step ensures that the HVAC control module is receiving an input from the A/C switch.

  4. These actions will enable the A/C compressor to operate.

    5.

  5. This test ensures that there is sufficient refrigerant in the A/C system. The specific values come from the A/C System Performance Test in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning.

    6.

  6. The A/C low pressure switch parameter is out of range when the HVAC control module interprets the signal being below 151 kPa (22 psi) or above 275 kPa (40 psi).

    7.

  7. This action will simulate a closed switch condition. If the Pressure Cycle Switch parameter reads Low Pressure than there is a circuit condition or a condition with the HVAC control module.

    8.

  8. The A/C compressor relay output from the PCM is disabled if the A/C high side system pressure is interpreted to be higher than 2413 kPa (350 psi).

Step

Action

Values

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?

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Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - HVAC Systems - Manual

2

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Set the parking brake.
  3. Place the vehicle in drive and allow the engine to idle.
  4. Observe the engine RPM.

Does the engine idle at a steady RPM?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Rough, Unstable, or Incorrect Idle and Stalling in Engine Controls - 4.8L, 5.3L, and 6.0L or Rough, Unstable, or Incorrect Idle and Stalling in Engine Controls -4.2L

3

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Observe the coolant temperature indicator.

Is the engine coolant temperature indicator illuminated?

--

Go to Engine Coolant Temperature Indicator Always On in Engine Cooling

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Using a scan tool, observe the A/C Switch parameter in the Heating and Air Conditioning data list while pressing the A/C request switch.

Does the A/C Switch parameter change states when the A/C request switch is pressed?

--

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 26

5

Important: For A/C compressor operation, the ambient air temperature display must be above 1°C (35°F).

Refer to Ambient Air Temperature Display Updating .

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Place the blower motor switch in the maximum speed position.
  3. Place the A/C request switch in the ON position.
  4. Place the left air temperature switch in the coldest position.

Does the A/C compressor clutch engage?

--

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

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Park the vehicle inside or out of direct sunlight.
  2. Open the window in order to ventilate the interior of the vehicle.
  3. Turn OFF the ignition.
  4. If the A/C system was operating, then wait for approximately 2 minutes.
  5. Install J 43600 .
  6. Record the ambient temperature at the vehicle.
  7. Record readings of the low and high side STATIC pressures.
  8. Compare the low and the high side pressure values with the allowable limits for the recorded ambient air temperature.

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

Above 16°C (60°F) 345 kPa (50 psi)

Above 24°C (75°F) 483 kPa (70 psi)

Above 33°C (90°F) 690 kPa (100 psi)

Go to Step 7

Go to Leak Testing in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

7
  1. Start the engine.
  2. With a scan tool, observe the A/C Permission parameter in the Heating and Air Conditioning data list.

Does the A/C Permission parameter display Granted?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 8

8

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. With a scan tool, observe the Pressure Cycle Switch parameter in the Heating and Air Conditioning data list.

Does the Pressure Cycle Switch parameter display Normal?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 9

9

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the A/C low pressure switch.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Connect a 3-ampere fused jumper between the signal circuit and the ground circuit of the A/C low pressure switch.
  5. Observe the Pressure Cycle Switch parameter in the Heating and Air Conditioning data list.

Does the Pressure Cycle Switch parameter display Normal?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 10

10

Test the signal circuit of the A/C low pressure switch for a high resistance or for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 11

11

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 26

12

With a scan tool, observe the A/C High Side Pressure parameter in the Powertrain data list.

Is the parameter less than the specified value?

2413 kPa (350 psi)

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 13

13
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. If the A/C system was operating, then wait for approximately 2 minutes.
  3. Install J 43600 .
  4. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  5. With a scan tool, observe the A/C High Side Pressure Sensor parameter in the Powertrain data list.
  6. Compare the A/C high side pressure on the scan tool to the high side pressure on J 43600 .

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

--

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning

Go to Step 24

14

With a scan tool, observe the AC Compressor Feedback parameter in the Heating and Air Conditioning data list.

Does the AC Compressor Feedback parameter display On?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 16

15

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 25

16
  1. Start the engine.
  2. With a scan tool, command the A/C Permission to Granted and Withheld.

Does the relay turn ON and OFF with each command?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 19

17
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Test the battery positive voltage circuit of the A/C compressor clutch relay for a high resistance or for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 18

18

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 22

19
  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 ignition 3 voltage circuit of the A/C compressor clutch relay with a test lamp that is connected to ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 20

Go to Step 28

20
  1. Start the engine.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit and the ignition 3 voltage circuit of the A/C compressor clutch relay.
  3. With a scan tool, command the A/C Permission to Granted.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 22

Go to Step 21

21
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Test the A/C compressor clutch control circuit of the PCM for a high resistance or for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 27

22
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Inspect for poor connections at the A/C compressor clutch relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 29

23

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 30

24

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 to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 31

25

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 32

26

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 33

27

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 34

28

Repair the 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 35

--

29

Replace the A/C compressor clutch relay.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 35

--

30

Replace the A/C low pressure switch. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) Low Pressure Switch Replacement in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 35

--

31

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 35

--

32

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

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 35

--

33

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

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 35

--

34

Important: Program the PCM.

Replace the PCM. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement in Engine Controls-4.2L or Powertrain Control Module Replacement in Engine Controls-4.8L, 5.3L, and 6.0L.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 35

--

35

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

--

System OK

Go to Step 5