GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Step

Action

Yes

No

1

Were you sent here from the A/C System Performance Test?

Go to Step 2

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

2

Refer to the air outlet temperatures recorded during the A/C system performance test.

Is there a 2 - 3° difference or more in the discharge air temperature between the right and left center I/P outlets?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 3

3

Did the customer concern mention that the A/C system output temperatures are good at first, but then turn warm during extended drives?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4

Increase engine speed to 2000 RPM.

During extended operation of the A/C system, does the low side pressure decrease (possibly accompanied by heavy frost on the liquid line between the expansion device and the evaporator)?

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

Go to Step 5

5

Refer to the pressures recorded during the A/C system performance test.

Inspect for the following conditions:

Caution: Refer to Moving Parts and Hot Surfaces Caution in the Preface section.

    • The high side pressure slightly above the specified pressure ranges but still within zone A on the A/C Pressure-Zone Classification Chart in the A/C System Performance Test. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test .
    • The discharge line is hot
    • The suction line is cool

Do the listed conditions exist?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

Refer to the pressures recorded during the A/C system performance test.

Inspect for the following conditions:

Caution: Refer to Moving Parts and Hot Surfaces Caution in the Preface section.

    • The low side pressure slightly lower than the specified pressure ranges but still within zone A on the A/C Pressure-Zone Classification Chart in the A/C System Performance Test. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test .
    • The discharge line is warm-to-hot.
    • The suction line is cool-to-warm.

Do the listed conditions exist?

Go to Step 8

Go to Too Hot in Vehicle in HVAC Systems - Manual

OR

Go to Too Hot in Vehicle in HVAC Systems - Automatic

7

The A/C system may be undercharged.

  1. Leak test A/C system. Refer to Leak Testing .
  2. Recharge the A/C system to specifications. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .

Is the repair complete?

Go to Step 14

--

8

The A/C system may be contaminated.

View the J 43600 information screen for detection of foreign gases in the A/C system.

Do foreign gases exist?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 10

9

  1. Evacuate the A/C system to a scavenging tank. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  2. Recharge the A/C system to specifications.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Step 14

--

10

The A/C system may contain too much moisture or air.

  1. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system to specifications. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  2. Operate the A/C system and check the outlet air temperatures. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test .

Are the outlet temperatures within the specified ranges of the A/C Performance Test Table?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 11

11

The A/C system may contain too much refrigerant oil.

  1. Recover the refrigerant from the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  2. Remove the accumulator. Refer to Air Conditioning Accumulator Replacement .
  3. Drain and measure the refrigerant oil from the accumulator.

Was there more than 148 ml (5 oz) of refrigerant oil drained from the accumulator?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 13

12

  1. Reinstall the accumulator. Refer to Air Conditioning Accumulator Replacement .
  2. Flush the A/C system. Refer to the operating manual of the J 43600 for the flushing procedure.
  3. Add the specified amount of refrigerant oil to the accumulator. Refer to Refrigerant System Capacities .
  4. Recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .

Are the repairs complete?

Go to Step 14

--

13

  1. Add the specified amount of refrigerant oil to the accumulator. Refer to Refrigerant System Capacities .
  2. Install the accumulator. Refer to Air Conditioning Accumulator Replacement .
  3. Recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .

Are the repairs complete?

Go to Step 14

--

14

  1. Record the low and high side pressures and the IP outlet air temperature.
  2. Compare the outlet temperatures to those listed in the A/C System Performance Chart. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test .

Are the high and low side pressures and outlet temperatures within specifications?

Go to Step 15

Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

15

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Manual

OR

Go to Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Automatic