Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test. Pontiac Grand Prix 2004

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Pontiac 🢒 2004 🢒 Grand Prix 🢒 HVAC 🢒 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning 🢒 Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test

Table 1:

A/C Performance Table

Test Description

This test measures the operating efficiency of the A/C system under the following conditions:

•	The current ambient air temperature (AAT)

•	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

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

This step determines if the A/C system has at least the minimum refrigerant charge required 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 (AATs).

Step

Action

Values

Yes

Important:

•	The ambient air temperature (AAT) 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 for about 2 minutes.
Turn OFF the ignition.
Install the J 43600 ACR 2000 Air Conditioning Service Center.
Record the ambient air temperature (AAT) 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 AAT AT THE TIME OF THE TEST.

Close the vehicle doors and windows.
Open the driver door window 12.7-15.2 cm (5-6 in).
Select the following HVAC control setting:

•	The A/C is ON.

•	The coldest temperature setting

•	The maximum blower speed

•	Recirculation mode

•	The instrument panel (I/P) outlet mode

•	All I/P outlets are OPEN

Install the temperature probes of the J 43600 in the left and right center panel air outlets.
Apply the parking brake.
Place the transmission in PARK.
Start the engine.
Operate the A/C system for 5 minutes.
Inspect A/C components for the following conditions:

•	Abnormal frost areas

•	Unusual noises

Important: When performing this step it is necessary to press the RESET button on the J 43600 before pressing the PRINT button.

Print the following information:

•	The panel outlet air temperatures

•	The low-side pressure

•	The high-side pressure

Compare the low and high side pressures and the panel output temperatures to the A/C performance table below.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the A/C performance table?

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 panel output temperature to the A/C performance table.

Does all the data recorded fall within the specified ranges of the A/C performance table?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 4

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

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

Go to Step 5

Is the low side pressure greater than the specified range, but the high side pressure is within or less 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 greater than the specified ranges?

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

Go to Step 7

Is the high side pressure greater than the specified range, but the low side pressure is within or less 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%	175-232 kPa (25-34 psi)	810-1 030 kPa (117-150 psi)	12°C (53.6°F)
18-24°C (65-75°F)	Below 40%	175-245 kPa (25-36 psi)	970-1 230 kPa (140-179 psi)	11°C (51.8°F)
18-24°C (65-75°F)	Above 40%	175-267 kPa (25-39 psi)	960-1 200 kPa (139-175 psi)	14°C (57.2°F)
24-29°C (75-85°F)	Below 35%	191-268 kPa (27-39 psi)	1 170-1 390 kPa (169-202 psi)	13°C (55.4°F)
	35-50%	202-274 kPa (29-40 psi)	1 150-1 370 kPa (166-199 psi)	14°C (57.2°F)
	Above 50%	210-287 kPa (30-42 psi)	1 140-1 340 kPa (165-195 psi)	16°C (60.8°F)
29-35°C (85-95°F)	Below 30%	219-296 kPa (31-43 psi)	1 330-1 580 kPa (193-230 psi)	15°C (59.0°F)
	30-50%	225-303 kPa (32-44 psi)	1 310-1 550 kPa (190-225 psi)	17°C (62.6°F)
	Above 50%	234-312 kPa (34-46 psi)	1 290-1 510 kPa (187-220 psi)	18°C (64.4°F)
35-41°C (95-105°F)	Below 20%	250-326 kPa (36-48 psi)	1 530-1 780 kPa (222-259 psi)	18°C (64.4°F)
	20-40%	253-329 kPa (36-48 psi)	1 510-1 750 kPa (219-254 psi)	19°C (66.2°F)
	Above 40%	260-333 kPa (37-49 psi)	1 490-1 720 kPa (216-250 psi)	20°C (68.0°F)
41-46°C (105-115°F)	Below 20%	284-353 kPa (41-52 psi)	1 720-1 940 kPa (249-282 psi)	21°C (69.8°F)
41-46°C (105-115°F)	Above 20%	286-354 kPa (41-52 psi)	1 700-1 900 kPa (246-276 psi)	22°C (71.6°F)
46-49°C (115-120°F)	Below 30%	313-369 kPa (45-54 psi)	1 860-2 020 kPa (270-294 psi)	23°C (73.4°F)