GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Object Number: 293706  Size: LF
A/C Refrigerant Pressure Sensor, TP Sensor, Map Sensor, ECT Sensor, IAT sensor
Engine Controls Components
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
ESD Notice
ESD Notice

Circuit Description

When an A/C mode is selected, the A/C control head or the A/C programmer supplies a 12 volt signal to the PCM A/C request input. The A/C compressor clutch relay is controlled by the PCM. The PCM provides a ground path for the A/C relay coil. When the A/C compressor relay is engaged, battery voltage is supplied to the compressor clutch coil. The PCM will enable the A/C compressor clutch whenever the engine is running and the A/C has been requested unless one or more of the following conditions are present:

    • Throttle angle is greater than 96%.
    • A/C head pressure is greater than 440 psi (4.6 volts) or less than 35 psi (0.4 volt) (as determined by the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor).
    • Ignition 1 voltage is below 10.5 volts.
    • Engine speed is greater than 4300 RPM for longer than 1 second.
    • Engine speed is greater then 5400 RPM for any amount of time.
    • ECT is greater than 124°C (255°F).
    • IAT is less than 5°C (41°F).

Any of the conditions described above will inhibit A/C compressor relay operation.

Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

    • Poor connection at the PCM. Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and poor terminal to wire connection.
    • Damaged harness. Inspect the wiring harness for damage.
    • If the harness appears to be OK, disconnect the PCM, turn the ignition ON and observe a voltmeter connected to the A/C relay control circuit at the PCM harness connector while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the A/C relay. A change in voltage will indicate the location of the malfunction.

Check for conditions that will disable A/C operation:

    • Throttle angle is greater than 96%.
    • A/C head pressure is greater than 440 psi (4.6 volts) or less than 35 psi (0.4 volt) (as determined by the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor).
    • Ignition 1 voltage is below 10.5 volts.
    • Engine speed is greater than 4300 RPM for longer than 1 seconds.
    • Engine speed is greater then 5400 RPM for any amount of time.
    • ECT is greater than 124°C (255°F).
    • IAT is less than 5°C (41°F).

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the Diagnostic Table:

  1. The P1641 diagnostic handles the control portion of the relay circuit. The P0530 diagnostic pertains to the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor. If either DTC is set, perform that diagnostic first.

  2. Under certain conditions, the PCM may engage the A/C compressor clutch briefly at start-up. Answer Yes to this step if the A/C compressor clutch remains engaged after the engine is started with all A/C controls in the Off Position.

    If Refrigerant Pressure is low, go to Refrigerant System Checks in HVAC for diagnostic procedures.

  3. Check for poor connections/terminal tension at the fuse. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis .

A/C Compressor Clutch Circuit Diagnosis

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

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

--

Go to Step 2

Go to the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check

2

Is DTC P0530 or P1641 set?

--

Go to the applicable DTC table

Go to Step 3

3

Important: The following conditions must be met before continuing with this step:

   • Ambient air temperature must be above 5°C (41°F).
   • A/C Pressure must be above 35 PSI (0.4 volts).
   • Coolant temperature must be below 121°C (250°F).

  1. Turn the A/C off.
  2. Start the engine.

Is the A/C Clutch engaged?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 4

4

Select an A/C mode on the HVAC control head.

Is the A/C clutch engaged?

--

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 5

5

Does the scan tool indicate A/C Request Yes?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Request Circuit Diagnosis

6

  1. Turn the engine off. Turn the ignition on.
  2. Check the fuse that supplies power to the relay.

Is the fuse OK?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Disconnect the A/C Compressor Clutch control relay.
  2. Connect DMM J 39200 to battery ground and probe the power feed circuits at the relay connector.

Is the resistance more than the specified value?

2 Ohms

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 17

8

  1. Disconnect the compressor clutch connector.
  2. Connect DMM J 39200 to battery ground and probe the compressor clutch feed circuit at the relay connector.

Is the resistance more than the specified value?

2 Ohms

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 18

9

  1. Replace the fuse.
  2. Reconnect the relay.
  3. Make sure vehicle conditions still meet the criteria specified in Step 3.
  4. Start the engine.
  5. Select an A/C mode on the HVAC control head.
  6. Recheck the fuse.

Is the fuse OK?

--

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 24

10

  1. Turn the ignition off.
  2. Reconnect the A/C compressor clutch.
  3. Make sure vehicle conditions still meet the criteria specified in Step 3.
  4. Start the engine.
  5. Select an A/C mode on the HVAC control head.
  6. Recheck the fuse.

Is the fuse OK?

--

Go to Diagnostic Aids

Go to Step 26

11

  1. Disconnect the A/C compressor clutch control relay.
  2. Probe the power feed circuits in the relay connector with test lamp J 35616-200 connected to ground.

Is the test lamp on?

--

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 19

12

Connect the power feed circuit to the compressor clutch feed circuit in the relay connector using a 10 Amp fused jumper.

Does the A/C compressor clutch engage?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 13

13

  1. Leave the fused jumper in place.
  2. Disconnect the A/C compressor clutch.
  3. Connect test light J 35616-200 between the feed circuit and the ground circuit in the compressor clutch harness connector.

Is the test light on?

--

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 14

14

  1. Move the ground clip of the test light J 35616-200 to a known good ground.
  2. Probe the feed circuit in the A/C compressor clutch harness connector.

Is the test light on?

--

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 20

15

Disconnect the A/C compressor clutch control relay.

Is the A/C compressor still engaged?

--

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 24

16

Using test light J 35616-200 connected to ground, probe the A/C compressor clutch feed circuit in the relay connector.

Is the test light on?

--

Go to Step 22

Mechanical A/C clutch failure--Go to Compressor Clutch Plate and Hub Assembly Removal (V5 - Conventional Mount)

17

Repair the short to ground in the power feed circuit to the relay.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

18

Repair the short to ground in the compressor clutch feed circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

19

Repair the open/high resistance power feed circuit to the relay.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

20

Repair the open/high resistance A/C compressor clutch feed circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

21

Repair the open/high resistance A/C compressor clutch ground circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

22

Repair the short to power in the A/C compressor clutch feed circuit.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

23

Check for poor connections/terminal tension at the relay connector. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis .

Was a problem found and corrected?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 24

24

Replace the relay.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

25

Check for poor connections/terminal tension at the A/C compressor clutch connector. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections Diagnosis .

Was a problem found and corrected?

--

Go to Step 27

Go to Step 26

26

Replace the A/C compressor clutch coil.

Is the action complete?

--

Go to Step 27

--

27

Important: The following conditions must be met before continuing with this step:

   • Ambient air temperature must be above 5°C (41°F).
   • A/C Pressure must be above 35 PSI (0.4 volts).
   • Coolant temperature must be below 121°C (250°F).

  1. Start the engine.
  2. Turn the A/C on and off . Allow about 5 seconds between each transition.

Does the A/C compressor clutch engage and disengage?

--

System OK

Go to Step 2