GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 387300  Size: LF
Engine Controls Components
A/C Compressor Controls
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Powertrain Control Module Connector End Views
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

Circuit Description

The PCM receives an A/C request signal from the A/C selector switch. When A/C is requested, the powertrain control module (PCM) provides a ground path to the A/C clutch relay control circuit. When the relay circuit is grounded, the A/C compressor clutch relay is energized. The PCM delays grounding the relay circuit for 0.3 seconds, so the PCM can adjust the engine idle RPM for the additional load.

The PCM will temporarily de-energize the A/C compressor clutch relay for one or more of the following conditions:

    • A hot engine restart
    • A wide open throttle or TP sensor over 90 percent
    • Engine RPM more than 6000 RPM
    • During an idle air control (IAC) valve reset
        The A/C compressor clutch relay will remain de-energized when one or both of the following conditions exist:
    • A DTC P0530 is set
    • There is no A/C request signal to the PCM
        Refer to A/C Diagnosis for more information on the A/C refrigerant systems.

Diagnostic Aids

    • If DTC P0530 is set, do not use this table.
    • An A/C refrigerant pressure outside the range of 43 to 428 psi, will cause the A/C compressor clutch to be disabled by the PCM. Observe the A/C refrigerant pressure parameter on the scan tool for 2 minutes with the engine idling and A/C ON. If pressure goes out of range, refer A/C Diagnosis.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step tests if the A/C compressor clutch is engaged when there is no command to be engaged.

  2. This step tests if the A/C compressor clutch is functioning. If the A/C clutch operates, inspect for poor connections throughout the system.

  3. The A/C clutch relay is located in the underhood electrical center. This step tests the PCM and the A/C clutch relay control circuit.

  4. There should be no A/C request when the HVAC control module is in the OFF position.

  5. The A/C request circuit is shorted to a voltage between the A/C high pressure switch and the PCM if the scan tool indicates an A/C request when the switch is disconnected.

  6. This step tests for a short to ground on the A/C relay control circuit.

  7. This step tests for a short between the A/C relay control circuit and any other circuit in the PCM harness connector.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Is DTC P0530 also set?

--

Go to DTC P0530 Air Conditioning (A/C) Refrigerant Pressure Sensor Circuit

Go to Step 3

3

Important:: This diagnostic table assumes the following:

    • The A/C system is adequately charged. Refer to System Performance Test in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning for refrigerant pressure test procedures.
    • This table only diagnoses the control of the A/C compressor clutch. Refer to System Performance Test in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning for performance concerns.
    • The A/C compressor has no mechanical failures.
    • The engine coolant temperature is more than 60°C (140°F) but less than 121°C (250°F).
  1. Start and idle the engine.
  2. Turn OFF the HVAC controls.

Is the A/C compressor clutch engaged?

--

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 4

4

  1. Select an A/C position on the control head.
  2. Set the HVAC blower speed to high.

Does the A/C compressor clutch engage?

--

System OK

Go to Step 5

5

Are both fuses for the A/C clutch relay OK?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 20

6

With the scan tool, monitor the A/C request.

Does the A/C request indicate YES?

--

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 7

7

Is the heater/HVAC controller fuse open?

--

Go to Step 36

Go to Step 14

8

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the A/C clutch relay.
  3. Start and idle the engine.
  4. Probe the A/C clutch relay control circuit at the underhood electrical center using the test lamp connected to B+.
  5. With the scan tool, command the A/C clutch relay ON and OFF.

Does the test lamp turn ON and OFF when commanded?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 23

9

Probe both A/C clutch relay B+ supply circuits at the underhood electrical center using the test lamp connected to ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate for both B+ circuits?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 24

10

Jumper the A/C relay clutch circuit to the B+ circuit using a fuse jumper wire.

Does the A/C clutch engage?

--

Go to Step 32

Go to Step 11

11

  1. Leave the jumper in for the remaining steps.
  2. Disconnect the A/C compressor clutch connector.
  3. With the test lamp connected to ground, probe the A/C clutch feed circuit at the connector.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 25

12

Connect the test lamp across the A/C clutch connector.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 27

13

With the scan tool, monitor the A/C request.

Does the A/C request indicate YES?

--

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 16

14

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the PCM connector C2.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Probe the A/C request circuit at the PCM connector using a test lamp connected to ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 37

Go to Step 15

15

  1. Turn OFF the ignition
  2. Measure the continuity on the A/C request circuit from the HVAC control head connector to the PCM C2 connector. Set the DMM on the lowest range.

Does the continuity measure within the specified range?

0-2 ohms

Go to Step 28

Go to Step 35

16

Disconnect the A/C clutch relay from the underhood electrical center.

Does the A/C clutch disengage?

--

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 30

17

Probe the A/C clutch relay control circuit at the underhood electrical center using the test lamp connected to B+.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 32

18

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the PCM connector C2.
  3. Probe the A/C relay control circuit at the PCM connector using the test lamp connected to B+.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 33

Go to Step 19

19

Test continuity from the A/C clutch control circuit to all other circuits in the PCM connector using the DMM .

Do any of the circuits display a resistance within the specified range?

0-2ohms

Go to Step 34

Go to Step 42

20

Is the A/C fuse open?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 38

21

  1. Remove the A/C clutch relay from the underhood electrical center.
  2. Probe the A/C fuse circuit at the A/C relay connector with a test lamp connected to B+.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 22

22

  1. Disconnect the A/C compressor clutch connector.
  2. Probe the A/C compressor clutch supply circuit at the underhood electrical center with a test lamp connected to B+.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

--

Go to Step 39

Go to Manual AC in HVAC Systems .

23

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the PCM connector C2.
  3. Test the continuity of the A/C relay control circuit from the PCM harness connector to the underhood electrical center using the DMM .

Does the DMM display continuity?

--

Go to Step 40

Go to Step 43

24

Repair the open circuit for the circuit that did not illuminate the test lamp. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

System OK

--

25

Repair the open A/C clutch circuit between the relay and the clutch. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

System OK

--

26

  1. Inspect for proper terminal tension at the A/C clutch connector. Refer to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
  2. If a condition is found, repair as necessary.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

System OK

Go to Manual AC in HVAC Systems

27

Repair the open A/C clutch ground circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

System OK

--

28

  1. Remove the HVAC controller from the instrument panel.
  2. Turn the ignition ON.
  3. Connect a test lamp to ground and probe the IGN E circuit at the connector of the HVAC controller.

Is the test lamp ON?

--

Go to Step 29

Go to Step 38

29

Replace the HVAC control head. Refer to Control Assembly Replacement in HVAC Systems-Manual.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

System OK

--

30

Repair the short to voltage between the A/C clutch relay and the A/C compressor clutch. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

System OK

--

31

Repair the short to ground between the A/C clutch relay and the A/C fuse. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

System OK

--

32

Replace the A/C clutch relay.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

System OK

--

33

Repair the grounded A/C clutch relay control circuit between the PCM and the A/C clutch relay. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

System OK

--

34

Repair the short between the A/C clutch relay control circuit and the circuit that had continuity. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

System OK

--

35

Repair the open A/C request circuit between the PCM and the HVAC control head switch. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

--

System OK

--

36

Repair the A/C request circuit for a short to ground. Refer to in Wiring Wiring Repairs Systems.

Did you complete the repair

--

System OK

--

37

Repair the A/C request circuit for a short to voltage. Refer to in Wiring Wiring Repairs Systems.

Did you complete the repair

--

System OK

--

38

Repair the open or shorted IGN E circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair

--

System OK

--

39

Repair the grounded circuit between the A/C clutch and A/C clutch relay. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair

--

System OK

--

40

  1. Test the control circuit for a short to voltage between the A/C clutch relay and the A/C clutch connector.
  2. If a condition is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Was a repair made?

--

System OK

Go to Step 41

41

  1. Inspect the PCM connector for proper terminal tension.
  2. If a condition is found, repair as necessary. Refer to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

System OK

Go to Step 42

42

Important:: The replacement PCM must be programmed.

Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming .

Replace the PCM.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

System OK

--

43

Repair the open A/C clutch relay control circuit between the underhood electrical center and the PCM.

Did you complete the repair?

--

System OK

--