Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test. Chevrolet Cavalier 2003

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2003 🢒 Cavalier 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Cooling 🢒 Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

Table 1:

Test Description

This test measure 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

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

This step determines if the A/C system has at least the minimum refrigerant charge required to operate the system without damage.

This step measures the performance of the A/C system.

This step is to allow for vehicle variations as well as high ambient air temperatures.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

Important:

•	The ambient air temperature must be at least 16°C (60°F) .

•	Do not induce additional air flow across the front of the vehicle during the test.

•	If you were sent here from a DTC diagnostic table, clear the DTC upon completion of this test.

Park the vehicle inside or in the shade.
Open the windows in order to ventilate the interior of the vehicle.
If the A/C system was operating, allow the A/C system to equalize (about 2 minutes).
Ensure that the ignition key is in the OFF position.
Install the J 43600 .
Record the ambient air temperature displayed on the J 43600 .
Record readings of the low and high side STATIC pressures.

Are both the low and high side pressures within the specified value?

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 2

Go to Leak Testing

Important: Record the relative humidity and the ambient air temperature AT THE TIME OF THE TEST.

Close the vehicle doors and windows.
Open the driver door window 5-6 inches.
Set the HVAC control to the following positions:

•	The A/C on

•	The blower control to the highest position

•	The HVAC control assembly to discharge air through the A/C outlets

•	The temperature control to the coldest position

•	All A/C outlets OPEN

Install temperature to the J 43600 in the left and right center A/C air outlets.
Apply the parking brake.
Place the transaxle/transmission in one of the following positions:

•	PARK (Automatic)

•	NEUTRAL (Manual)

Start the engine and allow to idle.
Operate the A/C system for 5 minutes.
Inspect for the following:

•	Abnormal frost areas

•	Unusual noises

Important: When using the print function of the J 43600 for this step it is necessary to press the RESET button before pressing the PRINT button after the 5 minute operating time in order to capture the correct information.

Record the following information:

•	The outlet air temperatures

•	The low-side pressure

•	The high-side pressure

Compare the low and high side pressures and the output temperatures to the table below.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the table below?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 3

If the pressures and temperatures recorded do not fall within the specified ranges:

Continue to operate the A/C system for an additional 5 minutes.
Record the pressures and temperatures again.
Compare the low and high side pressures and the output temperature to the table below.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the table below?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 4

Do the high and low side pressures fall within the specified ranges but the outlet temperatures do not?

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone A

Go to Step 5

Is the low side pressure higher than the specified range and the high side pressure within or lower than the specified range?

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone B

Go to Step 6

Are the low and high side pressures both higher than the specified ranges?

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone C

Go to Step 7

Is the low side pressure within or lower than the specified range and the high side pressure higher than the specified range?

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone D

Go to Step 8

Operate the system in order to verify the test results.

Did you find the same results?

System OK

Go to Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Manual in HVAC Systems - Manual

A/C System Pressure - Zone Classification

A/C Performance

Ambient Air Temperature	Relative Humidity	Service Port Pressure		Maximum Left Center Discharge Air Temperature
Ambient Air Temperature	Relative Humidity	Low Side	High Side	Maximum Left Center Discharge Air Temperature
13-18°C (55-50°F)	0-100%	222-252 kPa (25-31 psi)	1080-129 kPa (78-136 psi)	13°C (55°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Below 40%	231-261 kPa (25-31 psi)	1220-1460 kPa (109-173 psi)	14°C (57°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Above 40%	251-281 kPa (25-35 psi)	1220-1500 kPa (116-187 psi)	16°C (61°F)
25-29°C (76-85°F)	Below 35%	251-281 kPa (25-34 psi)	1360-1590 kPa (151-208 psi)	16°C (61°F)
	35-60%	259-289 kPa (25-36 psi)	1380-1620 kPa (158-215 psi)	17°C (63°F)
	Above 60%	275-305 kPa (26-38 psi)	1390-1680 kPa (164-231 psi)	19°C (66°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F)	Below 30%	276-306 kPa (27-39 psi)	1470-1730 kPa (193-261 psi)	19°C (66°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F)	Above 30%	287-317 kPa (30-41 psi)	1500-1800 kPa (203-282 psi)	20°C (68°F)
36-41°C (96-105°F)	Below 20%	297-327 kPa (32-44 psi)	1590-1840 kPa (224-283 psi)	70°C (21°F)
	20-40%	309-339 kPa (33-44 psi)	1320-1930 kPa (229-300 psi)	22°C (72°F)
	Above 40%	320-350 kPa (34-44 psi)	1690-2020 kPa (244-316 psi)	24°C (75°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Below 20%	319-349 kPa (38-49 psi)	1720-1960 kPa (264-319 psi)	23°C (73°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Above 20%	332-362 kPa (38-48 psi)	1760-2070 kPa (271-338 psi)	24°C (75°F)
47-49°C (116-120°F)	Below 30%	339-369 kPa (43-51 psi)	1880-2090 kPa (307-350 psi)	25°C (77°F)