Handling of Refrigerant Lines and Fittings
| CAUTION | To avoid system damage use only R-134a dedicated tools when servicing the A/C system. |
- Keep all metal tubing lines free of dents or kinks. Any line restrictions will cause the loss of system capacity.
- Never bend a flexible hose line to a radius of less than four times the diameter of the hose.
- Never allow a flexible hose line to come within 65 mm (2-1/2 in) of the exhaust manifold.
- Inspect flexible hose lines regularly for leaks or brittleness.
- Replace flexible hose lines with new lines if you find signs of deterioration or leaking.
- Discharge the refrigeration system of all refrigerant before disconnecting any fitting in the refrigeration system.
- Proceed very cautiously regardless of the gauge readings.
- Open the fittings very slowly.
- If you notice pressure when you loosen a fitting, allow the pressure to bleed off as described Discharging, Adding Oil, Evacuating, and Charging Procedures for A/C System .
- Cap or tape any refrigerant line immediately after it is opened. This will prevent the entrance of moisture and dirt, which can cause internal compressor wear or plugged lines in the condenser, the evaporator core, the expansion valve, or the compressor inlet screens. NOTE: Use two proper wrenches to connect the fittings.
- Back up the opposing fitting to prevent distortion of the connecting lines or the components.
- Keep the sealing surfaces in perfect condition. A burr or a piece of dirt may cause a refrigerant leak.
- When seal washers are used, always install the seal washer without lubrication.
- When O-rings are used, always lightly coat the new O-ring seal with mineral base 525 viscosity refrigerant oil prior to installation.
Fluorescent Leak Detector
Note. Always use UV protective eyewear when working with UV light.
Fluorescent dye will assist in locating any leaks in the A/C system.
- Condensation on the evaporator core or the refrigerant lines may wash the PAG oil and fluorescent dye away from the actual leak. Condensation may also carry dye through the HVAC module drain.
- Leaks in the A/C system will be indicated in a light green or yellow color when using the leak detection lamp. Use the leak detection lamp in the following areas: All fittings or connections that use seal washers or O-rings All of the A/C components The A/C compressor shaft seal The A/C hoses and pressure switches The HVAC module drain tube, if the evaporator core is suspected of leaking The service port sealing caps The sealing cap is the primary seal for the service ports.
- Follow the instructions supplied with the GE-42220 lamp.
- To prevent false diagnosis in the future, thoroughly clean the residual dye from any area where leaks were found. Use a rag and the approved GE-43872 cleaner.
Fluorescent Dye Injection
- Not all of the fluorescent dyes are compatible with GM refrigerant systems. Using dyes not approved by GM may damage the vehicle's refrigerant system.
- To prevent false diagnosis, thoroughly clean any residual dye from the service port with a rag and the approved fluorescent dye cleaner GE-43872 dye cleaner.
Electronic Leak Detection
Infrared detectors operate differently than heated sensor type detectors. They detect changes in concentration of refrigerant rather than absolute concentration. If the tip is held at a detected leak for more than 5 seconds the detector will saturate and zero to that concentration and will no longer detect leaks at that concentration or less. Move tip away from the leak saturation area for 30 seconds to reset the sensitivity of the detector.
Adequate system pressure is required for effective leak detection.
- If system is empty install 10% of system charge.
- Temperature must be above 60 F.
Do not use
- Soap solutions (not effective for leak detection)
- Shop air (will introduce contamination to the refrigerant system)
- High pressure gasses i.e. nitrogen (may cause system damage
Air movement from the engine cooling fan can affect the detectors ability to detect leaks. Always leak test with engine off and if possible after engine has reached normal operating temperature.
- All fittings and components should be checked.
- Take care not to contaminate the probe tip if the part being tested is contaminated.
- No cleaners containing solvents should be used prior to using electronic leak detector.
- Always follow the refrigerant system around in a continuous path so that no areas of potential leaks are missed. Move the tip along the refrigerant system at a rate of no more than 3 inches per second and a distance of 3/8 inch from the surface being tested. If a leak is found, always continue to test the remainder of the system.
Follow the instructions supplied with the GE-50078 detector.
Defrosting Insufficient
| Step | Action | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEFINITION: Time required to defrost the windshield is longer than normal. | |||
| 1 | Were you sent here from Symptoms or another diagnostic table? | Go to Step 2 | Go to Symptoms - HVAC Systems - Automatic |
| 2 | Turn ignition to ON.. Select the DEFROST mode. Select the maximum blower speed. Does sufficient air flow from the defroster outlets? | Go to Step 3 | Go to Step 6 |
| 3 | Select the minimum blower speed. Select the maximum temperature setting. WARNING: Refer to Moving Parts and Hot Surfaces Warning . Feel the temperature of the inlet and outlet hoses at the heater core. Does the inlet hose feel warmer than the outlet hose? | Go to Step 7 | Go to Step 4 |
| 4 | Perform the A/C system performance test. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LF1 or LFX) . Is the A/C system operating within the specifications? | Go to Step 5 | Go to Step 8 |
| 5 | Inspect for correct operation of the air inlet door. Is the air inlet door operating correctly? | Go to Step 10 | Go to Step 9 |
| 6 | Repair the air delivery concern. Refer to Diagnostic Starting Point - Vehicle . Is the repair complete? | Go to Step 10 | |
| 7 | Repair the heating concern. Refer to Heating Performance Diagnostic . Is the repair complete? | Go to Step 10 | |
| 8 | Repair the A/C performance concern. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) System Performance Test (LF1 or LFX) . Is the repair complete? | Go to Step 10 | |
| 9 | Repair the air inlet door concern. Refer to Air Inlet Housing Replacement . Is the repair complete? | Go to Step 10 | |
| 10 | Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you find and correct the problem? | System OK | Go to Step 2 |
| WARNING |
|---|
| Refer to Moving Parts and Hot Surfaces Warning . |
Defrosting Insufficient
Eliminating Air Conditioning Odor
Odors may be emitted from the air conditioning system primarily at start up in hot, humid climates. The following conditions may cause the odor
- Debris is present in the HVAC module.
- Microbial growth on the evaporator core
When the blower motor fan is turned on, the microbial growth may release an unpleasant musty odor into the passenger compartment. To remove odors of this type, the microbial growth must be eliminated. Perform the following procedure
Deodorize the evaporator core using Deodorizing Aerosol Kit.
Perform the following steps in order to deodorize the A/C system
- Ensure that the plenum that draws outside air into the HVAC module is clear of debris.
- Disable the A/C compressor clutch operation by disconnecting the clutch coil electrical connector.
- Dry the evaporator core by performing the following steps: Start the engine. Select the maximum temperature setting. Select the recirculation mode. Run the blower motor on high for 10 minutes.
- Locate an area in the air conditioning duct between the blower motor and the evaporator core downstream of the blower motor.
- Drill a 3.175 mm (0.125 in) hole where the hole will not interfere with or damage the following components: The blower motor The evaporator core Any other operating part the of system
- Wear safety goggles and latex gloves in order to perform the following actions: Select the maximum blower speed. Insert the deodorizer extension tube into the hole to the mark on the extension tube. Use short spray bursts and vary the direction of spray for a 2-3 minute period of time.
- Shut the engine OFF. Allow the vehicle to sit for 3-5 minutes.
- Seal the 3.175 mm (0.125 in) hole with body sealer or RTV gasket compound.
- Start the engine.
- Operate the blower motor on high for 15-20 minutes to dry.
- Reconnect the A/C compressor clutch coil electrical connector.
- Verify proper clutch operation.
- Using the scan tool enable the afterblow. Refer to «Afterblow Enabling»(ref-644765-S07596408312014072300000) .
Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging (Belt Driven Compressor)
Special Tools
- GE-48800 CoolTech A/C Recharge Machine
- J-43600 ACR 2000 Air Conditioning Service Center
- J-45037 A/C Oil Injector
For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools
| WARNING | To prevent personal injury, avoid breathing A/C Refrigerant and lubricant vapor or mist. Work in a well ventilated area. To remove refrigerant from the A/C System, use service equipment designed for recovery that is certified to meet the requirements of the appropriate SAE Standards. If an accidental system discharge occurs, ventilate the work area before continuing service. Additional health and safety information may be obtained from the refrigerant, refrigerant recovery, and lubricant manufacturers. |
| WARNING | For personal protection, goggles with side protection and lint-free gloves (insulated against heat loss and impermeable to refrigerant) must be worn and a clean cloth wrapped around fittings, valves, and connections when doing work that includes opening the refrigerant system. If refrigerant comes in contact with any part of the body severe frostbite and personal injury may result. The exposed area should be flushed immediately with cold water and prompt medical attention should be obtained. |
| CAUTION | You must replace the desiccant if the A/C refrigerant system has been open to atmosphere for more than four hours, or if the A/C refrigerant oil has been contaminated. Failure to replace the desiccant will result in damage to the A/C refrigerant system. |
| CAUTION | R-134a is the only approved refrigerant for use in this vehicle. The use of any other refrigerant may result in poor system performance or component failure and potentially void the vehicle warranty for the refrigerant system. |
| CAUTION | To avoid system damage use only R-134a dedicated tools when servicing the A/C system. |
| CAUTION | Do not lubricate A/C line seal washers as mineral oil will damage the seal and cause leaks. Use only 525 viscosity mineral oil to lubricate o-rings as well as fitting threads for the prevention of fitting seizure. |
| CAUTION | Use only GM approved Polyalkylene Glycol Synthetic Refrigerant Oil (PAG) for internal circulation through the R-134a A/C system. |
Both the J-43600 ACR 2000 Air Conditioning Service Center and GE-48800 CoolTech A/C Recharge Machine are complete air conditioning service center for R-134a. Both units recovers, recycles, evacuates and recharges A/C refrigerant quickly, accurately and automatically. Both units have a display screen that contains the function controls and displays prompts that will lead the technician through the recover, recycle, evacuate and recharge operations. R-134a is recovered into and charged out of an internal storage vessel. Both units automatically replenishes this vessel from an external source tank in order to maintain a constant 5.45-6.82 kg (12-15 lbs) of A/C refrigerant.
The ACR 2000 has a built in A/C refrigerant identifier that will test for contamination, prior to recovery and will notify the technician if there are foreign gases present in the A/C system. If foreign gases are present, the ACR 2000 will not recover the refrigerant from the A/C system.
The ACR 2000 also features automatic air purge, single pass recycling and an automatic oil drain.
GE-48800 CoolTech A/C Recharge Machine is released as a required replacement for the previously essential J-43600 ACR 2000 Air Conditioning Service Center. The GE-48800 CoolTech A/C Recharge Machine is SAE J2788 compliant and meets GM requirements for A/C Refrigerant System Repairs on all General Motors vehicles, including Hybrid systems with Polyolester (POE) refrigerant oil.
Refer to the J-43600 ACR 2000 Air Conditioning Service Center or GE-48800 CoolTech A/C Recharge Machine manual for operation and setup instruction. Always recharge the A/C System with the proper amount of R-134a. Refer to Refrigerant System Specifications for the correct amount.
A/C Refrigerant System Oil Charge Replenishing
If oil was removed from the A/C system during the recovery process or due to component replacement, the same quantity of PAG oil must be replenished. If no oil was removed from the A/C system during recovery, do not charge any PAG oil into the A/C system. Oil can be injected into a charged system using J-45037 A/C Oil Injector. For the proper quantities of oil to add to the A/C refrigerant system, refer to Refrigerant System Specifications .
Balancing Procedure
- Refer to the amount of refrigerant oil recorded during the compressor removal.
- If the amount of oil recorded from the removed compressor is less than or equal to 75 ml (2.5 fl. oz), add 75 ml of the new PAG oil back into the new compressor through the compressor suction port.
- If the amount of oil recorded from the removed compressor is greater than 75 ml (2.5 fl. oz), add the equivalent amount of the new PAG oil back into the new compressor through the compressor suction port.
- Rotate the clutch driver three times to lubricate the internal compressor components.
- If necessary, refer to «Refrigerant System Specifications»(ref-644713-S05991294922014072300000) .
Scheme 45
| Callout | Component Name |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Procedures Recover the refrigerant. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging (Belt Driven Compressor) . Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle Remove front wheelhouse liner. Refer to Front Wheelhouse Liner Replacement . Remove the drive belt from the compressor. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement . Disconnect the A/C compressor electrical connector. Remove the air conditioning condenser and evaporator hose from the compressor. Refer to Air Conditioning Condenser and Evaporator Hose Replacement | |
| 1 | A/C Compressor Bolt CAUTION: Refer to Fastener Caution . Tighten 58 N.m (43 lb ft) |
| 2 | A/C Compressor Nut Tighten 22 N.m (12 lb ft) |
| 3 | A/C Compressor Bolt Tighten 58 N.m (43 lb ft) |
| 4 | A/C Compressor Procedure Remove and discard sealing washers. Refer to Air Conditioning System Seal Replacement . When replacing the A/C compressor, balance the compressor oil. Refer to Air Conditioning Compressor Oil Balancing . |
| CAUTION |
|---|
| Refer to Fastener Caution . |
Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement (LFX)