GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement 3.4L

Tools Required

J 39400-A Halogen Leak Detector

Removal Procedure

  1. Recover the refrigerant. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  2. Release the drive belt tension by lifting or rotating the drive belt tensioner with a breaker bar.
  3. Remove the drive belt from the A/C compressor pulley and position the drive belt aside.
  4. Slowly release the tension from the drive belt tensioner and remove the breaker bar.
  5. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  6. Remove the splash shield from the right side of the engine. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side in Body Front End.
  7. Remove the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  8. Remove the A/C compressor hose bolt.
  9. Disconnect the A/C compressor hose from A/C compressor.
  10. Disconnect the electrical connector from the A/C compressor.
  11. Remove and discard the sealing washers.

  12. Object Number: 277918  Size: SH
  13. Remove the lower mounting bolt.
  14. Remove the 2 upper mounting bolts.
  15. Remove the A/C compressor from the vehicle.
  16. Important: Replacement compressors are shipped without PAG oil

  17. If replacing the compressor, balance the compressor oil. Refer to Compressor Oil Balancing .

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 301171  Size: SH

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  1. Install the compressor drain plug (1).
  2. Tighten
    Tighten the drain plug to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).


    Object Number: 277918  Size: SH
  3. Install the A/C compressor to the vehicle.
  4. Install the 2 upper mounting bolts.
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  6. Install the lower mounting bolt.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  8. Install the new sealing washers. Refer to Sealing Washer Replacement .
  9. Install the A/C compressor hose assembly to the A/C compressor.
  10. Install the A/C compressor hose bolt to the A/C compressor.
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 33 N·m (24 lb ft).

  12. Connect the electrical connector to the A/C compressor.
  13. Install the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  14. Install the splash shield to the right side of the engine. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side in Body Front End.
  15. Lower the vehicle.
  16. Release the drive belt tension by lifting or rotating the drive belt tensioner with a breaker bar.
  17. Install the drive belt around the A/C compressor pulley.
  18. Important: Make sure the drive belt is aligned into the proper grooves of all pulleys.

  19. Slowly release the tension from the drive belt tensioner and remove the breaker bar.
  20. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  21. Using J 39400-A , leak test the fittings of the component.

Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement 3.8L

Tools Required

J 39400-A Halogen Leak Detector

Removal Procedure

  1. Recover the refrigerant. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  2. Release the drive belt tension by lifting or rotating the drive belt tensioner with a breaker bar.
  3. Remove the drive belt from the A/C compressor pulley and position the drive belt aside.
  4. Slowly release the tension from the drive belt tensioner and remove the breaker bar.
  5. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  6. Remove the splash shield from the right side of the engine. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side in Body Front End.
  7. Remove the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  8. Remove the A/C compressor hose bolt.
  9. Disconnect the A/C compressor hose from A/C compressor.
  10. Disconnect the electrical connector from the A/C compressor.
  11. Remove and discard the sealing washers.

  12. Object Number: 277915  Size: SH
  13. Remove the rear mounting bracket from the A/C compressor.
  14. Remove the A/C compressor mounting nuts.
  15. Remove the A/C compressor.
  16. Important: Replacement compressors are shipped without PAG oil

  17. If replacing the compressor, balance the compressor oil. Refer to Compressor Oil Balancing .

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 301171  Size: SH

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  1. Install the compressor drain plug (1).
  2. Tighten
    Tighten the drain plug to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).


    Object Number: 277915  Size: SH
  3. Install the A/C compressor to the vehicle.
  4. Install the A/C compressor front nuts.
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).

  6. Install the rear A/C compressor bolts.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 31 N·m (23 lb ft).

  8. Install the new sealing washers. Refer to Sealing Washer Replacement .
  9. Install the A/C compressor hose assembly to the A/C compressor.
  10. Install the A/C compressor hose nut to the compressor.
  11. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 33 N·m (24 lb ft).

  12. Connect the electrical connector to the A/C compressor.
  13. Install the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  14. Install the splash shield to the right side of the engine. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement - Right Side in Body Front End.
  15. Lower the vehicle.
  16. Release the drive belt tension by lifting or rotating the drive belt tensioner with a breaker bar.
  17. Install the drive belt around the A/C compressor pulley.
  18. Important: Make sure the drive belt is aligned into the proper grooves of all pulleys.

  19. Slowly release the tension from the drive belt tensioner and remove the breaker bar.
  20. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  21. Using J 39400-A , leak test the fittings of the component.