Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test. Chevrolet Corvette 2001

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2001 🢒 Corvette 🢒 HVAC 🢒 HVAC Systems - Automatic 🢒 Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

Table 1:

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

•	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 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 12.7-15.2cm (5-6 in).
Set the HVAC control to the following positions:

•	A/C in recirculation.

•	Dual Zone System Off.

•	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 temperature probes of the J 43600 in 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: When using the print function of the J 43600 for this step it is necessary to press RESET button before pressing the PRINT button after the 5 minute operating time in order to capture the correct information.

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 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.
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 - Manual in HVAC Systems - Manual OR 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%	211-241 kPa (31-35 psi)	500-740 kPa (73-107 psi)	8°C (46°F)
19-23°C (66-75°F)	Below 40%	193-223 kPa (28-32 psi)	780-1090 kPa (106-167 psi)	8°C (46°F)
19-23°C (66-75°F)	Above 40%	209-239 kPa (30-35 psi)	730-1050 kPa (106-167 psi)	9°C (48°F)
24-29°C (76-85°F)	Below 35%	172-214 kPa (25-31 psi)	1020-1227 kPa (148-178 psi)	9°C (48°F)
	35-60%	199-229 kPa (29-33 psi)	970-1300 kPa (141-189 psi)	9°C (48°F)
	Above 60%	207-237 kPa (30-34 psi)	1020-1500 kPa (148-218 psi)	10°C (50°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F)	Below 30%	210-240 kPa (31-35 psi)	1130-1520 kPa (164-221 psi)	10°C (50°F)
	30-50%	208-238 kPa (30-35 psi)	1190-1670 kPa (173-242 psi)	11°C (52°F)
	Above 50%	205-235 kPa (30-35 psi)	1280-1910 kPa (186-277 psi)	11°C (52°F)
36-40°C (96-105°F)	Below 20%	226-256 kPa (33-37 psi)	1280-1650 kPa (186-240 psi)	12°C (54°F)
	20-40%	218-248 kPa (32-36 psi)	1360-1870 kPa (197-271 psi)	12°C (54°F)
	Above 40%	211-241 kPa (31-35 psi)	1520-2100 kPa (221-305 psi)	12°C (54°F)
41-46°C (106-115°F)	Below 20%	238-268 kPa (35-39 psi)	1460-1830 kPa (212-267 psi)	13°C (55°F)
41-46°C (106-115°F)	Above 20%	226-256 kPa (33-37 psi)	1570-2100 kPa (228-306 psi)	13°C (55°F)
47-49°C (116-120°F)	Below 30%	238-268 kPa (35-39 psi)	1750-2090 kPa (254-303 psi)	14°C (57°F)