GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Table 1: A/C Performance Table

The following test measures the A/C system operating efficiency by comparing:

    • The ambient air temperature
    • The ambient air humidity
    • The pressure at the high-pressure side of the refrigeration system
    • The pressure at the low-pressure side of the refrigeration system
    • The temperature of the air being discharged into the passenger compartment

Test Description

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

  1. This step determines if there is enough refrigerant in the A/C system in order to operate the system without damage.

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

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

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

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.

1

  1. Park the vehicle inside or in the shade.
  2. Open the windows in order to ventilate the interior of the vehicle.
  3. If the A/C system was operating, allow the A/C system to equalize (about 2 minutes).
  4. Ensure that the ignition key is in the OFF position.
  5. Install the J 43600 ACR 2000 Air Conditioning service center.
  6. Record the ambient air temperature displayed on the J 43600 .
  7. 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

2

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

  1. Close the vehicle doors and windows.
  2. Open the driver door window 13-15 cm (5-6 inches).
  3. Set the HVAC control to the following positions:
  4. • The A/C ON
    • The blower control to the highest position
    • The HVAC control assembly to discharge air through the A/C outlets
    • Recirculation Mode
    • The temperature control to the coldest position
    • All A/C outlets OPEN
  5. Install the temperature probes to the J 43600 in the left and right center A/C air outlets.
  6. Apply the parking brake.
  7. Place the transaxle/transmission in one of the following positions:
  8. • PARK (Automatic)
    • NEUTRAL (Manual)
  9. Start the engine and allow to idle.
  10. Operate the A/C system for 5 minutes.
  11. Inspect for the following:
  12. •  Abnormal frost areas
    • Unusual noises

    Important:  When using the print function of the J 43600 for this step, press the RESET button first. In order to capture the correct information, wait 5 minutes after pressing the RESET button, before pressing the PRINT button.

  13. Record the following information:
  14. • The outlet air temperatures
    • The low-side pressure
    • The high-side pressure
  15. 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

3

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

  1. Continue to operate the A/C system for an additional 5 minutes.
  2. Record the pressures and temperatures again.
  3. 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

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

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

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

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

8

Operate the system in order to verify the test results.

Did you find the same results?

--

System OK

Go to Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Automatic

A/C System Pressure -- Zone Classification


Object Number: 827888  Size: MF

A/C Performance Table

Ambient Air Temperature

Relative Humidity

Service Port Pressure

Maximum Left Center Discharge Air Temperature

Low Side

High Side

13-16°C (55-65°F)

0-100%

200-283 kPa (29-41 psi)

945-1234 kPa (137-179 psi)

11°C (52°F)

19-24°C (66-75°F)

Below 40%

228-310 kPa (33-45 psi)

1082-1413 kPa (157-205 psi)

14°C (57°F)

Above 40%

248-338 kPa (36-49 psi)

1131-1469 kPa (164-213 psi)

15°C (59°F)

25-29°C (76-85°F)

Below 35%

276-379 kPa (40-55 psi)

1303-1696 kPa (189-246 psi)

18°C (64°F)

35-60%

276-379 kPa (40-55 psi)

1310-1709 kPa (190-248 psi)

18°C (64°F)

Above 60%

290-400 kPa (42-58 psi)

1358-1765 kPa (197-256 psi)

19°C (66°F)

30-35°C (86-95°F)

Below 30%

317-434 kPa (46-63 psi)

1544-2006 kPa (224-291 psi)

22°C (72°F)

30-50%

324-441 kPa (47-64 psi)

1558-2034 kPa (226-295 psi)

22°C (72°F)

Above 50%

365-510 kPa (53-74 psi)

1675-2179 kPa (243-316 psi)

26°C (79°F)

36-41°C (96-105°F)

Below 20%

400-552 kPa (58-80 psi)

1917-2503 kPa (278-363 psi)

28°C (82°F)

20-40%

393-546 kPa (57-79 psi)

1910-2496 kPa (274-357 psi)

28°C (82°F)

Above 40%

400-552 kPa (58-80 psi)

1910-2496 kPa (277-362 psi)

28°C (82°F)

42-46°C (106-115°F)

Below 20%

448-621 kPa (65-90 psi)

2172-2834 kPa (315-411 psi)

31°C (88°F)

Above 20%

462-634 kPa (67-92 psi)

2220-2896 kPa (322-420 psi)

32°C (90°F)

47-49°C (116-120°F)

Below 30%

531-731 kPa (77-106 psi)

2379-3116 kPa (347-452 psi)

43°C (109°F)