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

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2006 🢒 VUE - FWD 🢒 HVAC 🢒 HVAC Systems - Manual 🢒 Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test L61

Table 1:

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

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%	151-241 kPa (22-35 psi)	861-1136 kPa (125-165 psi)	9°C (48°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Less than 40%	151-261 kPa (22-38 psi)	999-1309 kPa (145-190 psi)	10°C (50°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Greater than 40%	165-296 kPa (24-43 psi)	1026-1350 kPa (149-196 psi)	13°C (55°F)
25-29°C (76-85°F)	Less than 35%	199-296 kPa (29-43 psi)	1198-1467 kPa (174-213 psi)	13°C (55°F)
	35-50%	213-310 kPa (31-45 psi)	1219-1488 kPa (177-216 psi)	14°C (57°F)
	Greater than 50%	227-330 kPa (33-48 psi)	1240-1529 kPa (180-222 psi)	17°C (61°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F)	Less than 30%	241-351 kPa (35-51 psi)	1357-1660 kPa (197-241 psi)	18°C (63°F)
	30-50%	254-358 kPa (37-52 psi)	1378-1701 kPa (200-247 psi)	18°C (64°F)
	Greater than 50%	268-378 kPa (39-55 psi)	1412-1750 kPa (205-254 psi)	20°C (68°F)
36-41°C (96-105°F)	Less than 20%	296-399 kPa (43-58 psi)	1543-1832 kPa (224-266 psi)	22°C (70°F)
	20-40%	303-406 kPa (44-59 psi)	1557-1880 kPa (226-273 psi)	23°C (72°F)
	Greater than 40%	316-413 kPa (46-60 psi)	1598-1922 kPa (232-279 psi)	23°C (73°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Less than 20%	351-447 kPa (51-65 psi)	1729-1998 kPa (251-290 psi)	24°C (75°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Greater than 20%	358-447 kPa (52-65 psi)	1750-2053 kPa (254-298 psi)	25°C (77°F)
47-49°C (116-120°F)	Below 30%	406-496 kPa (59-72 psi)	1922-2259 kPa (279-328 psi)	28°C (82°F)

Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test L66 Base

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

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%	151-213 kPa (22-31 psi)	1260-1440 kPa (183-209 psi)	9°C (48°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Less than 40%	158-248 kPa (23-36 psi)	1419-1577 kPa (206-229 psi)	12°C (52°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Greater than 40%	172-261 kPa (25-38 psi)	1460-1564 kPa (212-227 psi)	13°C (54°F)
25-29°C (76-85°F)	Less than 35%	192-275 kPa (28-40 psi)	1557-1805 kPa (226-262 psi)	13°C (54°F)
	35-50%	206-282 kPa (30-41 psi)	1505-1798 kPa (219-261 psi)	13°C (54°F)
	Greater than 50%	213-296 kPa (31-43 psi)	1467-1791 kPa (213-260 psi)	14°C (57°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F)	Less than 30%	220-303 kPa (32-44 psi)	1598-1901 kPa (232-276 psi)	15°C (59°F)
	30-50%	234-316 kPa (34-46 psi)	1329-1632 kPa (193-237 psi)	17°C (61°F)
	Greater than 50%	241-337 kPa (35-49 psi)	1350-1550 kPa (196-225 psi)	18°C (64°F)
36-41°C (96-105°F)	Less than 20%	254-330 kPa (37-48 psi)	1543-1756 kPa (224-255 psi)	18°C (64°F)
	20-40%	261-344 kPa (38-50 psi)	1543-1701 kPa (224-247 psi)	18°C (64°F)
	Greater than 40%	268-358 kPa (39-52 psi)	1577-1646 kPa (229-239 psi)	19°C (66°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Less than 20%	282-358 kPa (41-52 psi)	1708-1798 kPa (248-261 psi)	19°C (66°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Greater than 20%	268-378 kPa (39-55 psi)	1619-1743 kPa (235-253 psi)	20°C (68°F)
47-49°C (116-120°F)	Below 30%	316-399 kPa (46-58 psi)	1722-1942 kPa (250-282 psi)	22°C (70°F)

Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test L66 Red Line

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

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)	1109-1329 kPa (161-193 psi)	8°C (46°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Less than 40%	151-227 kPa (22-33 psi)	1205-1481 kPa (175-215 psi)	9°C (48°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Greater than 40%	151-254 kPa (22-37 psi)	1288-1495 kPa (187-217 psi)	12°C (52°F)
25-29°C (76-85°F)	Less than 35%	172-261 kPa (25-38 psi)	1433-1688 kPa (208-245 psi)	12°C (52°F)
	35-50%	186-268 kPa (27-39 psi)	1398-1722 kPa (203-250 psi)	13°C (54°F)
	Greater than 50%	192-296 kPa (28-43 psi)	1378-1722 kPa (200-250 psi)	14°C (57°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F)	Less than 30%	206-296 kPa (30-43 psi)	1522-1929 kPa (221-280 psi)	14°C (57°F)
	30-50%	213-310 kPa (31-45 psi)	1343-1646 kPa (195-239 psi)	15°C (59°F)
	Greater than 50%	234-337 kPa (34-49 psi)	1357-1591 kPa (197-231 psi)	18°C (63°F)
36-41°C (96-105°F)	Less than 20%	241-330 kPa (35-48 psi)	1584-1818 kPa (230-264 psi)	17°C (61°F)
	20-40%	248-344 kPa (36-50 psi)	1577-1777 kPa (229-258 psi)	18°C (64°F)
	Greater than 40%	261-365 kPa (38-53 psi)	1591-1729 kPa (231-251 psi)	19°C (66°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Less than 20%	282-365 kPa (41-53 psi)	1729-1922 kPa (251-279 psi)	19°C (66°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Greater than 20%	289-378 kPa (42-55 psi)	1743-1860 kPa (253-270 psi)	20°C (68°F)
47-49°C (116-120°F)	Below 30%	323-406 kPa (47-59 psi)	1839-2073 kPa (267-301 psi)	23°C (72°F)