GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement 3.1L

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. Remove the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  6. Remove the splash shield from the right side of the engine. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.

  7. Object Number: 369041  Size: SH
  8. Remove the A/C compressor hose nut from the compressor.
  9. Remove the A/C compressor hose from the compressor.
  10. Important: Remove and discard all sealing washers.

  11. Disconnect the electrical connector from the A/C compressor.

  12. Object Number: 277918  Size: SH
  13. Remove the bottom mounting bolt.
  14. Remove the 2 top mounting bolts.
  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: 277918  Size: SH
  3. Install the A/C compressor.
  4. Install the 2 top A/C compressor mounting bolts.
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  6. Install the bottom A/C compressor mounting bolt.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  8. Install new sealing washers. Refer to Sealing Washer Replacement .

  9. Object Number: 369041  Size: SH
  10. Install the A/C compressor hose to the compressor.
  11. Install the A/C compressor hose nut to the compressor.
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 33 N·m (24 lb ft).

  13. Connect the electrical connector to the A/C compressor.
  14. Install the splash shield to the right side of the engine. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  15. Install the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  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. Leak test the fittings of the component using J 39400-A .

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. Important: The supercharged L67 engine utilizes two drive belts. The outer drive belt drives the supercharger. Only release the drive belt tension from the accessories drive belt tensioner.

  3. Release the drive belt tension by lifting or rotating the drive belt tensioner with a breaker bar.
  4. Remove the drive belt from the A/C compressor pulley and position the drive belt aside.
  5. Slowly release the tension from the drive belt tensioner and remove the breaker bar.
  6. Remove the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  7. Remove the splash shield from the right side of the engine. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.

  8. Object Number: 369041  Size: SH
  9. Remove the A/C compressor hose nut from the compressor.
  10. Remove the A/C compressor hose from the compressor.
  11. Important: Remove and discard all sealing washers.

  12. Disconnect the electrical connector from the A/C compressor.

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

  19. 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 bracket and the mounting bolts.
  4. Tighten

    • Tighten the upper bracket bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).
    • Tighten the lower bracket bolt to 80 N·m (59 lb ft).
  5. Install the A/C compressor.
  6. Install the A/C compressor front nuts.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).

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

  10. Install new sealing washers. Refer to Sealing Washer Replacement .

  11. Object Number: 369041  Size: SH
  12. Install the A/C compressor hose to the compressor.
  13. Install the A/C compressor hose nut to the compressor.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 33 N·m (24 lb ft).

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

  22. Slowly release the tension from the drive belt tensioner and remove the breaker bar.
  23. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  24. Leak test the fittings of the component using J 39400-A .