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

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2004 🢒 VUE - FWD 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 3.5L (L66) 🢒 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 .
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 drivers door window 12.7-15.2 cm (5-6 inches).
Select the following HVAC control settings:

•	The A/C is ON

•	The coldest temperature setting

•	The maximum blower speed

•	Recirculation mode

•	The I/P panel outlet mode

•	All I/P panel 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 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%	191-235 kPa (28-34 psi)	539-781 kPa (78-113 psi)	7°C (45°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Less than 40%	191-258 kPa (38-37 psi)	708-878 kPa (103-128 psi)	8°C (47°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Greater than 40%	197-258 kPa (29-37 psi)	708-955 kPa (103-139 psi)	10°C (50°F)
25-29°C (76-85°F)	Less than 35%	213-261 kPa (31-38 psi)	783-1129 kPa (114-164 psi)	10°C (50°F)
	35-60%	225-277 kPa (33-40 psi)	833-1137 kPa (121-165 psi)	12°C (54°F)
	Greater than 60%	238-303 kPa (35-44 psi)	877-1205 kPa (127-175 psi)	14°C (58°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F)	Less than 30%	225-288 kPa (33-42 psi)	940-1357 kPa (136-197 psi)	12°C (54°F)
	30-50%	238-303 kPa (35-44 psi)	1000-1387 kPa (145-201 psi)	14°C (58°F)
	Greater than 50%	238-322 kPa (35-47 psi)	1000-1372 kPa (145-199 psi)	15°C (60°F)
36-41°C (96-105°F)	Less than 20%	251-322 kPa (36-47 psi)	1153-1637 kPa (167-238 psi)	15°C (60°F)
	20-40%	276-352 kPa (40-51 psi)	1240-1728 kPa (180-251 psi)	18°C (65°F)
	Greater than 40%	288-375 kPa (42-54 psi)	1328-1811 kPa (193-263 psi)	21°C (71°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Less than 20%	288-364 kPa (42-53 psi)	1365-1811 kPa (198-263 psi)	21°C (71°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Greater than 20%	316-390 kPa (46-57 psi)	1503-1887 kPa (218-274 psi)	21°C (71°F)
47-49°C (116-120°F)	Below 30%	316-390 kPa (46-57 psi)	1547-1948 kPa (225-283 psi)	21°C (71°F)

A/C System Pressure - Zone Classification

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 .
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 drivers door window 12.7-15.2 cm (5-6 inches).
Select the following HVAC control settings:

•	The A/C is ON

•	The coldest temperature setting

•	The maximum blower speed

•	Recirculation mode

•	The I/P panel outlet mode

•	All I/P panel 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 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 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%	181-198 kPa (26-29 psi)	675-792 kPa (98-115 psi)	9°C (49°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Less than 40%	186-198 kPa (27-29 psi)	820-1040 kPa (119-151 psi)	5°C (42°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Greater than 40%	189-203 kPa (28-30 psi)	875-1082 kPa (127-157 psi)	6°C (43°F)
25-29°C (76-85°F)	Less than 35%	198-213 kPa (29-31 psi)	1068-1275 kPa (155-185 psi)	7°C (45°F)
	35-60%	213-222 kPa (31-32 psi)	1158-1399 kPa (168-203 psi)	9°C (48°F)
	Greater than 60%	227-238 kPa (33-35 psi)	1247-1488 kPa (181-216 psi)	12°C (53°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F)	Less than 30%	222-238 kPa (32-35 psi)	1344-1640 kPa (195-238 psi)	10°C (50°F)
	30-50%	236-250 kPa (34-36 psi)	1419-1771 kPa (206-257 psi)	12°C (53°F)
	Greater than 50%	238-264 kPa (35-38 psi)	1412-1778 kPa (205-258 psi)	13°C (56°F)
36-41°C (96-105°F)	Less than 20%	250-254 kPa (36-37 psi)	1516-1723 kPa (220-250 psi)	12°C (53°F)
	20-40%	269-278 kPa (39-40 psi)	1550-1840 kPa (225-267 psi)	14°C (57°F)
	Greater than 40%	290-304 kPa (42-44 psi)	1454-1612 kPa (211-234 psi)	16°C (61°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Less than 20%	278-299 kPa (40-43 psi)	1598-1750 kPa (232-254 psi)	13°C (56°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Greater than 20%	304-332 kPa (44-48 psi)	1654-1791 kPa (240-260 psi)	19°C (67°F)
47-49°C (116-120°F)	Below 30%	296-376 kPa (43-55 psi)	1667-2139 kPa (242-310 psi)	22°C (71°F)

A/C System Pressure - Zone Classification