Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test. Pontiac Aztek

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2001 🢒 Aztek - FWD 🢒 HVAC 🢒 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning 🢒 Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

Table 1:

A/C Performance Table

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

Test Description

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 127-152 mm (5-6 in).
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 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 the 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 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 - Manual in HVAC Systems - Manual

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%	197-225 kPa (29-33 psi)	1100-1230 kPa (160-178 psi)	9°C (48°F)
19-23°C (66-75°F)	Below 40%	191-228 kPa (28-33 psi)	1060-1230 kPa (154-178 psi)	10°C (50°F)
19-23°C (66-75°F)	Above 40%	202-246 kPa (29-36 psi)	1100-1370 kPa (160-199 psi)	12°C (54°F)
24-29°C (76-85°F)	Below 35%	194-230 kPa (28-33 psi)	1130-1220 kPa (164-177 psi)	11°C (52°F)
	35-60%	198-246 kPa (29-36 psi)	1090-1320 kPa (158-191 psi)	12°C (54°F)
	Above 60%	236-311 kPa (34-45 psi)	1140-1580 kPa (165-229 psi)	15°C (59°F)
30-35°C (86-95°F)	Below 30%	208-256 kPa (30-37 psi)	1230-1370 kPa (178-199 psi)	14°C (57°F)
	30-50%	215-284 kPa (31-41 psi)	1180-1540 kPa (171-223 psi)	16°C (61°F)
	Above 50%	236-311 kPa (34-45 psi)	1290-1750 kPa (187-254 psi)	18°C (64°F)
36-40°C (96-105°F)	Below 20%	235-298 kPa (34-43 psi)	1340-1600 kPa (194-232 psi)	17°C (63°F)
	20-40%	246-315 kPa (36-46 psi)	1340-1700 kPa (194-247 psi)	18°C (64°F)
	Above 40%	260-348 kPa (38-51 psi)	1410-1940 kPa (204-281 psi)	21°C (70°F)
41-46°C (106-115°F)	Below 20%	266-339 kPa (39-49 psi)	1550-1820 kPa (225-264 psi)	21°C (70°F)
41-46°C (106-115°F)	Above 20%	280-369 kPa (41-54 psi)	1530-2000 kPa (222-290 psi)	23°C (73°F)
47-49°C (116-120°F)	Below 30%	304-378 kPa (44-55 psi)	1870-2020 kPa (271-293 psi)	24°C (75°F)