GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2008 🢒 Corvette 🢒 HVAC 🢒 HVAC - Automatic 🢒 Air Temperature Malfunction

Diagnostic Instructions
    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

Inside Air Temperature Sensor Blower Ignition

1

1

--

--

Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Signal

B0159

B0159

B0159

--

Inside Air Temperature Sensor Signal

B0164

B0164

B0164

--

Upper Left Air Temperature Sensor Signal

B0174

B0174

B0174

--

Upper Right Air Temperature Sensor Signal

B0510

B0510

B0510

--

Lower Left Air Temperature Sensor Signal

B0179

B0179

B0179

--

Lower Right Air Temperature Sensor Signal

B0515

B0515

B0515

--

Inside Air Temperature Sensor Blower Control

1

1

1

--

Ambient Air Temperature Low Reference

--

B0159

--

--

Inside Air Temperature Low Reference

--

B0164

--

--

Upper Left Air Temperature Low Reference

--

B0174

--

--

Upper Right Air Temperature Low Reference

--

B0510

--

--

Lower Left Air Temperature Low Reference

--

B0179

--

--

Lower Right Air Temperature Low Reference

--

B0515

--

--

1. Inside air temperature sensor malfunction

Circuit/System Description

The HVAC control module supplies inside and ambient air temperature sensors with a low reference circuit and 5-volt signal circuit. The inside air temperature sensor has a fan motor that operates using body ground and a 12-volt supply from the body control module (BCM) when the ignition and HVAC control module are ON. The HVAC control module determines the voltage drop across the sensors, which is proportional to temperature. As the air temperature increases, the sensor resistance decreases and the voltage signal decreases. As the air temperature decreases, the sensor resistance increases and the voltage signal increases.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

HVAC Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

    •  Air Temperature Description and Operation
    •  Air Delivery Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification
  1. Ignition ON, cover the sunload sensor assembly with a shop towel or other suitable item. Verify the scan tool Right Sunload Sensor and Left Sunload Sensor parameters are within 3 counts of each other.
    2. ⇒If not within the specified range, refer to Sunload Sensor Circuit Malfunction.
  2. Measure actual outside air temperature using a thermometer. Compare this value to the scan tool Ambient Air Temp. Sensor parameter. The measured temperature should be within 5 degrees of parameter.
    3. ⇒If not within the specified range, refer to Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Malfunction.
  3. Measure actual inside air temperature using a thermometer. Compare this value to the scan tool Inside Air Temp. parameter. The measured temperature should be within 5 degrees of parameter.
    4. ⇒If not within the specified range, refer to Inside Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Malfunction.
  4. Measure actual air temperature using a thermometer at each duct temperature sensor. Compare this value to the appropriate scan tool Duct Temp. Sensor parameter. The measured temperature should be within 5 degrees of parameter.
    5. ⇒If not within the specified range, refer to Duct Temperature Sensor Circuit Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

Sunload Sensor Circuit Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the sunload sensor assembly.
  2. Test for less than 2.0 ohm between the low reference circuit terminal C and ground.
    3. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal replace the HVAC control module.
  3. Ignition ON, verify the Left Sunload Sensor parameter is greater than 250 counts.
    4. ⇒If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  4. Ignition ON, verify the Right Sunload Sensor parameter is greater than 250 counts.
    5. ⇒If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal B for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  5. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal A and the low reference circuit terminal C. Verify the Left Sunload Sensor parameter is less than 5 counts.
    6. ⇒If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal B and the low reference circuit terminal C. Verify the Right Sunload Sensor parameter is less than 5 counts.
    7. ⇒If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the sunload sensor assembly.

Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the ambient air temperature sensor.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 10.0 ohms between the low reference circuit terminal B and ground.
    3. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal replace the HVAC control module.
  3. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Ambient Air Temp. Sensor parameter is greater than 250 counts.
    4. ⇒If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  4. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal A and ground. Verify the appropriate Ambient Air Temp. Sensor parameter is less than 5 counts.
    5. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  5. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the ambient air temperature sensor.

Inside Air Temperature Sensor Circuit Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the inside air temperature sensor.
  2. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal 1 and ground.
    3. ⇒If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition circuit for short to ground or an open/high resistance.
  3. Ignition ON, HVAC control module ON. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal 1 and the control circuit terminal 3.
    4. ⇒If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  4. Ignition OFF, test for less than 10.0 ohms between the low reference circuit terminal 3 and ground.
    5. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal replace the HVAC control module.
  5. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Inside Air Temp. Sensor parameter is greater than 250 counts.
    6. ⇒If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit terminal 1 for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 1 and ground. Verify the scan tool Inside Air Temp. Sensor parameter is less than 5 counts.
    7. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the inside air temperature sensor.

Duct Temperature Sensor Circuit Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the appropriate temperature sensor.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 10.0 ohms between the low reference circuit terminal B and ground.
    3. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal replace the HVAC control module.
  3. Ignition ON, verify the appropriate scan tool Temp. Sensor parameter is greater than 250 counts.
    4. ⇒If less than the specified range, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  4. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal A and ground. Verify the appropriate scan tool Temp. Sensor parameter is less than 5 counts.
    5. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the HVAC control module.
  5. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the temperature sensor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Duct Air Temperature Sensor Replacement - Upper Right Side
    •  Duct Air Temperature Sensor Replacement - Upper Left Side
    •  Duct Air Temperature Sensor Replacement - Lower Left Side
    •  Duct Air Temperature Sensor Replacement - Lower Right Side
    •  Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Replacement
    •  Inside Air Temperature Sensor Replacement
    •  Sun Load Sensor Replacement
    •  Control Module References for HVAC control module replacement, setup, and programming