Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test. Saturn VUE

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2005 🢒 VUE - AWD 🢒 Vehicle Control Systems 🢒 Vehicle DTC Information 🢒 Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test L61

Table 1:

A/C Performance Table

This test measures the operating efficiency of the A/C system under the following conditions:

•	The current ambient air temperature

•	The current relative humidity

•	The high side pressure of the A/C system

•	The low side pressure of the A/C 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.

This step determines if the A/C system has at least the minimum refrigerant charge required to operate the system without damage.

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

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

Step

Action

Values

Yes

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.

Park the vehicle inside or in the shade.
Open the windows in order to ventilate the interior of the vehicle.
If the A/C system was operating, allow the A/C system to equalize for about 2 minutes.
Turn OFF the ignition.
Install the J 43600 ACR 2000 Air Conditioning Service Center.
Record the ambient air temperature displayed on the J 43600 .
Record the low and high side STATIC pressure readings.

Are both the low side and high side pressures within the specified value?

More than 16°C (60°F) - 345 kPa (50 psi)

More than 24°C (75°F) - 483 kPa (70 psi)

More than 33°C (90°F) - 690 kPa (100 psi)

Go to Step 2

Go to Leak Testing

Important: Record the relative humidity and the ambient air temperature at the time of the test.

Close the vehicle doors and windows.
Open the driver door window 12.7-15.2 cm (5-6 in).
Select the following HVAC control settings:

•	The A/C is ON.

•	The coldest temperature setting

•	The maximum blower speed

•	Recirculation mode

•	The instrument panel (I/P) outlet mode

•	All I/P outlets are OPEN

Install the temperature probes of the J 43600 in the left and right center panel air outlets.
Apply the parking brake.
Place the transaxle/transmission in one of the following positions:

•	PARK (Automatic)

•	NEUTRAL (Manual)

Start the engine.
Operate the A/C system for 5 minutes.
Inspect A/C components for the following conditions:

•	Abnormal frost areas

•	Unusual noises

Important: Press the RESET button, before using the print function of the J 43600 .

Print the following information:

•	The panel outlet air temperatures

•	The low-side pressure

•	The high-side pressure

Compare the low and high side pressures and the panel output temperatures to the A/C performance table below.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the A/C Performance Table?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 3

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

Continue to operate the A/C system for an additional 5 minutes.
RESET the J 43600 and record the pressures and temperatures again.
Compare the low and high side pressures and the panel output temperature to the A/C Performance Table.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the A/C Performance Table?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 4

Do the high and low side pressures fall within the specified ranges, but the panel outlet temperatures do not?

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone A

Go to Step 5

Is the low side pressure greater than the specified range, but the high side pressure within or less than the specified range?

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone B

Go to Step 6

Are the low and high side pressures both greater than the specified ranges?

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone C

Go to Step 7

Is the high side pressure greater than the specified range, but the low side pressure is within or less than the specified range?

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone D

Go to Step 8

Operate the system in order to verify the test results.

Did you find the same results?

System OK

Go to Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Manual in HVAC Systems - Manual

A/C System Pressure - Zone Classification

A/C Performance Table

Ambient Temperature	Relative Humidity	Low Side Service Port Pressure	High Side Service Port Pressure	Maximum Left Center Discharge Air Temperature
13-18°C (55-65°F)	0-100%	151-206 kPa (22-30 psi)	592-902 kPa (86-131 psi)	7°C (43°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Less than 40%	151-234 kPa (22-34 psi)	716-1061 kPa (104-154 psi)	8°C (46°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Greater than 40%	151-261 kPa (22-38 psi)	757-1109 kPa (110-161 psi)	10°C (50°F)
25-29°C (76-85°F)	Less than 35%	172-268 kPa (25-39 psi)	950-1233 kPa (138-179 psi)	12°C (52°F)
	35-50%	186-282 kPa (27-41 psi)	971-1247 kPa (141-181 psi)	13°C (54°F)
	Greater than 50%	199-303 kPa (29-44 psi)	992-1281 kPa (144-186 psi)	13°C (54°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F)	Less than 30%	213-316 kPa (31-46 psi)	1129-1440 kPa (164-209 psi)	15°C (59°F)
	30-50%	227-330 kPa (33-48 psi)	1150-1460 kPa (167-212 psi)	17°C (61°F)
	Greater than 50%	241-358 kPa (35-52 psi)	1171-1488 kPa (170-216 psi)	18°C (63°F)
36-41°C (96-105°F)	Less than 20%	261-365 kPa (38-53 psi)	1336-1646 kPa (194-239 psi)	18°C (64°F)
	20-40%	268-378 kPa (39-55 psi)	1350-1660 kPa (196-241 psi)	19°C (66°F)
	Greater than 40%	289-392 kPa (42-57 psi)	1371-1681 kPa (199-244 psi)	20°C (68°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Less than 20%	316-406 kPa (46-59 psi)	1557-1832 kPa (226-266 psi)	23°C (72°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Greater than 20%	323-420 kPa (47-61 psi)	1570-1839 kPa (228-267 psi)	23°C (73°F)
47-49°C (116-120°F)	Below 30%	365-454 kPa (53-66 psi)	1750-2011 kPa (254-292 psi)	25°C (77°F)

Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test L66

Table 1:

A/C Performance Table

This test measures the operating efficiency of the A/C system under the following conditions:

•	The current ambient air temperature

•	The current relative humidity

•	The high side pressure of the A/C system

•	The low side pressure of the A/C 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.

This step determines if the A/C system has at least the minimum refrigerant charge required to operate the system without damage.

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

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

Step

Action

Values

Yes

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.

Park the vehicle inside or in the shade.
Open the windows in order to ventilate the interior of the vehicle.
If the A/C system was operating, allow the A/C system to equalize for about 2 minutes.
Turn OFF the ignition.
Install the J 43600 ACR 2000 Air Conditioning Service Center.
Record the ambient air temperature displayed on the J 43600 .
Record the low and high side STATIC pressure readings.

Are both the low side and high side pressures within the specified value?

More than 16°C (60°F) - 345 kPa (50 psi)

More than 24°C (75°F) - 483 kPa (70 psi)

More than 33°C (90°F) - 690 kPa (100 psi)

Go to Step 2

Go to Leak Testing

Important: Record the relative humidity and the ambient air temperature at the time of the test.

Close the vehicle doors and windows.
Open the driver door window 12.7-15.2 cm (5-6 in).
Select the following HVAC control settings:

•	The A/C is ON.

•	The coldest temperature setting

•	The maximum blower speed

•	Recirculation mode

•	The instrument panel (I/P) outlet mode

•	All I/P outlets are OPEN.

Install the temperature probes of the J 43600 in the left and right center panel air outlets.
Apply the parking brake.
Place the transaxle/transmission in PARK.
Start the engine.
Operate the A/C system for 5 minutes.
Inspect A/C components for the following conditions:

•	Abnormal frost areas

•	Unusual noises

Important: Press the RESET button, before using the print function of the J 43600 .

Print the following information:

•	The panel outlet air temperatures

•	The low-side pressure

•	The high-side pressure

Compare the low and high side pressures and the panel output temperatures to the A/C Performance Table.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the A/C Performance Table?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 3

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

Continue to operate the A/C system for an additional 5 minutes.
RESET the J 43600 and record the pressures and temperatures again.
Compare the low and high side pressures and the panel output temperature to the A/C Performance Table.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the A/C Performance Table?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 4

Do the high and low side pressures fall within the specified ranges, but the panel outlet temperatures do not?

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone A

Go to Step 5

Is the low side pressure greater than the specified range, but the high side pressure within or less than the specified range?

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone B

Go to Step 6

Are the low and high side pressures both greater than the specified ranges?

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone C

Go to Step 7

Is the high side pressure greater than the specified range, but the low side pressure is within or less than the specified range?

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone D

Go to Step 8

Operate the system in order to verify the test results.

Did you find the same results?

System OK

Go to Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Manual in HVAC Systems - Manual

A/C System Pressure - Zone Classification

A/C Performance Table

Ambient Temperature	Relative Humidity	Low Side Service Port Pressure	High Side Service Port Pressure	Maximum Left Center Discharge Air Temperature
13-18°C (55-65°F)	0-100%	151-186 kPa (22-27 psi)	826-971 kPa (120-141 psi)	8°C (45°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Less than 40%	151-206 kPa (22-30 psi)	1 040-1 233 kPa (151-179 psi)	8°C (46°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Greater than 40%	151-234 kPa (22-34 psi)	978-1 171 kPa (142-170 psi)	10°C (50°F)
25-29°C (76-85°F)	Less than 35%	151-234 kPa (22-34 psi)	1 191-1 391 kPa (173-202 psi)	10°C (50°F)
	35-50%	165-248 kPa (24-36 psi)	1 157-1 371 kPa (168-199 psi)	12°C (52°F)
	Greater than 50%	172-261 kPa (25-38 psi)	1 136-1 336 kPa (165-194 psi)	13°C (55°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F)	Less than 30%	179-268 kPa (26-39 psi)	1 329-1 570 kPa (193-228 psi)	13°C (55°F)
	30-50%	192-282 kPa (28-41 psi)	1 309-1 557 kPa (190-226 psi)	14°C (57°F)
	Greater than 50%	206-303 kPa (30-44 psi)	1 288-1 543 kPa (187-224 psi)	17°C (61°F)
36-41°C (96-105°F)	Less than 20%	213-303 kPa (31-44 psi)	1 502-1 743 kPa (218-253 psi)	17°C (61°F)
	20-40%	220-316 kPa (32-46 psi)	1 488-1 743 kPa (216-253 psi)	18°C (63°F)
	Greater than 40%	234-323 kPa (34-47 psi)	1 481-1 743 kPa (215-253 psi)	18°C (64°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Less than 20%	254-330 kPa (37-48 psi)	1 660-1 880 kPa (241-273 psi)	18°C (64°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Greater than 20%	261-344 kPa (38-50 psi)	1 660-1 887 kPa (241-274 psi)	19°C (66°F)
47-49°C (116-120°F)	Below 30%	296-372 kPa (43-54 psi)	1 798-2 032 kPa (261-295 psi)	22°C (70°F)