Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test. Chevrolet Impala 2005

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2005 🢒 Impala 🢒 HVAC 🢒 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning 🢒 Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

Table 1:

A/C Performance Table

Test Description

This test measures 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 number(s) below refer to the step number(s) 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 for about 2 minutes.
Turn OFF the ignition
Install the J 43600 ACR 2000 Air Conditioning Service Center.
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 12.7-15.2 cm (5-6 in).
Select the following HVAC control setting:

•	The A/C is ON

•	The coldest temperature setting

•	The maximum blower speed

•	Recirculation mode

•	The IP panel outlet mode

•	All IP panel outlets are OPEN

•	The passenger side of a Dual Zone HVAC control module is turned OFF

Install the temperature probes of the J 43600 in the left and right center panel air outlets.
Apply the parking brake.
Place the transmission in PARK
Start the engine.
Operate the A/C system for 5 minutes.
Inspect A/C components for the following conditions:

•	Abnormal frost areas

•	Unusual noises

Important: When performing this step it is necessary to press the RESET button on the J 43600 before pressing the PRINT button.

Print the following information:

•	The panel outlet air temperatures

•	The low-side pressure

•	The high-side pressure

Compare the low and high side pressures and the panel output temperatures to the A/C performance table below.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the A/C performance table?

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 panel output temperature to the A/C performance table.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the A/C performance table?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 4

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

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

Go to Step 5

Is the low side pressure greater than the specified range, but the high side pressure is within or less 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 greater than the specified ranges?

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

Go to Step 7

Is the high side pressure greater than the specified range, but the low side pressure is within or less 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 Table

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 (55-65°F)	0-100%	175-239 kPa (25-35 psi)	920-1360 kPa (133-197 psi)	11°C (51.8°F)
18-24°C (65-75°F)	Below 40%	175-225 kPa (25-33 psi)	940-1360 kPa (136-197 psi)	9°C (48.2°F)
18-24°C (65-75°F)	Above 40%	175-256 kPa (25-37 psi)	1080-1480 kPa (157-215 psi)	12°C (53.6°F)
24-29°C (75-85°F)	Below 35%	175-238 kPa (25-35 psi)	1200-1510 kPa (174-219 psi)	11°C (51.8°F)
	35-50%	181-246 kPa (26-36 psi)	1260-1540 kPa (183-224 psi)	11°C (58.1°F)
	Above 50%	192-262 kPa (27-38 psi)	1310-1580 kPa (190-229 psi)	12°C (53.6°F)
29-35°C (85-95°F)	Below 30%	188-258 kPa (27-37 psi)	1400-1720 kPa (203-250 psi)	12°C (53.6°F)
	30-50%	196-262 kPa (28-38 psi)	1420-1720 kPa (206-250 psi)	13°C (55.4°F)
	Above 50%	206-268 kPa (30-40 psi)	1460-1720 kPa (212-250 psi)	13°C (55.4°F)
35-41°C (95-105°F)	Below 20%	214-282 kPa (31-41 psi)	1640-1950 kPa (238-283 psi)	14°C (57.2°F)
	20-40%	216-282 kPa (31-41 psi)	1640-1950 kPa (238-283 psi)	14°C (57.2°F)
	Above 40%	220-282 kPa (32-41 psi)	1640-1950 kPa (238-283 psi)	14°C (57.2°F)
41-46°C (105-115°F)	Below 20%	243-303 kPa (35-44 psi)	1890-2140 kPa (274-311 psi)	16°C (60.8°F)
41-46°C (105-115°F)	Above 20%	242-303 kPa (35-44 psi)	1890-2140 kPa (274-311 psi)	16°C (60.8°F)
46-49°C (115-120°F)	Below 30%	263-310 kPa (38-45 psi)	2060-2210 kPa (299-321 psi)	17°C (62.6°F)