Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test. Buick Park Avenue 2001

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Buick 🢒 2001 🢒 Park Avenue 🢒 HVAC 🢒 HVAC Systems - Automatic 🢒 Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

Table 1:

Test Description

The following test measures the A/C system operating efficiency by comparing:

•	The ambient air temperature

•	The ambient air humidity

•	The pressure at the high-pressure side of the refrigeration system

•	The pressure at the low-pressure side of the refrigeration system

•	The temperature of the air being discharged into the passenger compartment

The number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the diagnostic table.

This step determines if there is enough refrigerant in the A/C system in order 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 air temperatures.

Step

Action

Value(s)

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 (about 2 minutes).
Ensure that the ignition key is in the OFF position.
Install the J 43600 .
Record the ambient air temperature displayed on the J 43600 .
Record readings of the low and high side STATIC pressures.

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

Above 16°C (60°F) - 345 kPa (50 psi)

Above 24°C (75°F) - 483 kPa (70 psi)

Above 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 5-6 inches.
Set the HVAC control to the following positions:

•	The A/C on

•	The blower control to the highest position

•	The HVAC control assembly to discharge air through the A/C outlets

•	The temperature control to the coldest position

•	All A/C outlets OPEN

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

•	PARK (Automatic)

•	NEUTRAL (Manual)

Start the engine and allow to idle.
Operate the A/C system for 5 minutes.
Inspect for the following:

•	Abnormal frost areas

•	Unusual noises

Important: In order to capture the correct information, press the RESET button of the J 43600 before pressing the PRINT button after the 5 minute operating time.

Record the following information:

•	The outlet air temperatures

•	The low-side pressure

•	The high-side pressure

Compare the low and high side pressures and the output temperatures to the table below.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the table below?

Go to Step 4

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.
Record the pressures and temperatures again.
Compare the low and high side pressures and the output temperature to the table below.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the table below?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 4

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

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

Go to Step 5

Is the low side pressure higher than the specified range and the high side pressure within or lower 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 higher than the specified ranges?

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

Go to Step 7

Is the low side pressure within or lower than the specified range and the high side pressure higher 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 - Automatic in HVAC Systems - Automatic

A/C System Pressure -- Zone Classification

A/C Performance Table

Ambient Air Temperature	Relative Humidity	Service Port Pressure		Maximum Left Center Discharge Air Temperature
Ambient Air Temperature	Relative Humidity	Low Side	High Side	Maximum Left Center Discharge Air Temperature
13-18°C (55-65°F)	0-100%	175-261 kPa (26-33 psi)	1120-1450 kPa (163-210 psi)	8°C (46.4°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Below 40%	175-261 kPa (25-38 psi)	1151-1358 kPa (167-215 psi)	9°C (48.2°F)
19-24°C (66-75°F)	Above 40%	179-283 kPa (26-41 psi)	1240-1560 kPa (180-226 psi)	12°C (53°F)
25-29°C (76-85°F)	Below 35%	208-293 kPa (30-43 psi)	1350-1600 kPa (196-232 psi)	11°C (52°F)
	35-49%	219-303 kPa (32-44 psi)	1390-1610 kPa (202-234 psi)	12°C (54°F)
	Above 50%	227-322 kPa (33-47 psi)	1420-1640 kPa (206-238 psi)	14°C (57°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F)	Below 30%	241-331 kPa (35-48 psi)	1500-1760 kPa (218-255 psi)	14°C (57°F)
	Above 30%	250-346 kPa (36-50 psi)	1510-1750 kPa (219-254 psi)	16°C (61°F)
	Above 50%	263-368 kPa (38-53 psi)	1530-1750 kPa (222-254 psi)	18°C (64°F)
36-41°C (96-105°F)	Below 20%	276-363 kPa (40-53 psi)	1680-1930 kPa (244-280 psi)	16°C (61°F)
	20-40%	284-380 kPa (41-55 psi)	1680-1910 kPa (244-277 psi)	18°C (64°F)
	Above 40%	298-397 kPa (43-58 psi)	1680-1880 kPa (244-273 psi)	20°C (68°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Below 20%	315-397 kPa (46-58 psi)	1870-2080 kPa (271-302 psi)	18°C (64°F)
42-46°C (106-115°F)	Above 20%	323-415 kPa (47-60 psi)	1850-2030 kPa (269-295 psi)	20°C (68°F)
47-49°C (116-120°F)	Below 30%	357-427 kPa (52-62 psi)	2000-2140 kPa (290-311 psi)	21°C (70°F)