GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement 3.4L

Tools Required

J 39400-A Halogen Leak Detector

Removal Procedure

  1. Recover the refrigerant. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  2. Remove the right front fender upper diagonals brace. Refer to Front Fender Upper Diagonal Brace Replacement in Body Front End.
  3. Remove the cross vehicle brace. Refer to Cross Vehicle Brace Replacement in Body Front End.
  4. Remove the accessory drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in 3.4L Engine Mechanical.
  5. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  6. Remove the right side engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  7. Remove the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Baffle Assemblies and Deflectors in Engine Cooling.
  8. Disconnect the electrical connector from the A/C compressor.
  9. Remove and discard the sealing washers.
  10. Remove the A/C compressor block fitting assembly at the A/C compressor. Refer to Compressor Hose Assembly Replacement .

  11. Object Number: 277918  Size: SH
  12. Remove the lower mounting bolt.
  13. Remove the two upper mounting bolts.
  14. Remove the A/C compressor from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

Important: Replacement A/C compressors are shipped without oil (dry). Add 60 ml (2 oz) of synthetic refrigerant lubricant (PAG).

  1. Install the A/C compressor to the vehicle.

  2. Object Number: 277918  Size: SH

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  3. Install the two upper mounting bolts.
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the A/C compressor top bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  5. Install the lower mounting bolt.
  6. Tighten
    Tighten the A/C compressor bottom bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

    Important: Lubricate the new sealing washers with mineral base 525 viscosity refrigerant oil.

  7. Install the A/C compressor hose assembly to the A/C compressor. Refer to Compressor Hose Assembly Replacement .
  8. Connect the electrical connector to the A/C compressor.
  9. Install the new sealing washers.
  10. Install the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Baffle Assemblies and Deflectors in Engine Cooling.
  11. Install the right side engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  12. Lower the vehicle.
  13. Install the accessory drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in 3.4L Engine Mechanical.
  14. Install the cross vehicle brace. Refer to Cross Vehicle Brace Replacement in Body Front End.
  15. Install the right front fender upper diagonals brace. Refer to Front Fender Upper Diagonal Brace Replacement in Body Front End.
  16. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  17. Leak test the fittings of the component using J 39400-A .

Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement 3.8L

Tools Required

J 39400-A Halogen Leak Detector

Removal Procedure

  1. Recover the refrigerant. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  2. Remove the right front fender upper diagonals brace. Refer to Front Fender Upper Diagonal Brace Replacement in Body Front End.
  3. Remove the cross vehicle brace. Refer to Cross Vehicle Brace Replacement in Body Front End.
  4. Remove the accessory drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in 3.8L Engine Mechanical.
  5. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  6. Remove the right side engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  7. Remove the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Baffle Assemblies and Deflectors in Engine Cooling.
  8. Disconnect the electrical connector from the A/C compressor.
  9. Remove and discard the sealing washers.
  10. Remove the A/C compressor hose assembly from rear of the A/C compressor. Refer to Compressor Hose Assembly Replacement .

  11. Object Number: 277915  Size: SH
  12. Remove the rear A/C compressor mounting bracket.
  13. Remove the A/C compressor mounting nuts.
  14. Remove the A/C compressor.
  15. Remove the bracket with the mounting bolts, if necessary.

Installation Procedure

Important: Replacement A/C compressors are shipped without oil (dry). Add 60 ml (2 oz) of synthetic refrigerant lubricant (PAG).

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  1. Install the bracket with the upper mounting bolt, if necessary.
  2. Tighten
    Tighten the A/C compressor bracket upper bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  3. Install the bracket with the lower mounting bolt, if necessary.
  4. Tighten
    Tighten the A/C compressor bracket lower bolt to 80 N·m (59 lb ft).


    Object Number: 277915  Size: SH
  5. Install the A/C compressor to the vehicle.
  6. Install the A/C compressor nuts.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the A/C compressor front nuts to 100 N·m (74 lb ft).

  8. Install the rear A/C compressor bracket and bolts.
  9. Tighten
    Tighten the A/C compressor rear bolts to 31 N·m (23 lb ft).

    Important: Lubricate the new sealing washers with mineral base 525 viscosity refrigerant oil.

  10. Install the A/C compressor block fitting assembly to the rear of the A/C compressor. Refer to Compressor Hose Assembly Replacement .
  11. Connect the electrical connector to the A/C compressor.
  12. Install the new sealing washers.
  13. Install the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Baffle Assemblies and Deflectors in Engine Cooling.
  14. Install the right side engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  15. Lower the vehicle.
  16. Install the accessory drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in 3.8L Engine Mechanical.
  17. Install the cross vehicle brace. Refer to Cross Vehicle Brace Replacement in Body Front End.
  18. Install the right front fender upper diagonals brace. Refer to Front Fender Upper Diagonal Brace Replacement in Body Front End.
  19. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  20. Leak test the fittings of the component using J 39400-A .