Test Description
The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
- 1: This step determines if the A/C system has at least the minimum refrigerant charge required to operate the system without damage.
- 2: This step measures the performance of the A/C system.
- 3: This step is to allow for vehicle variations as well as high ambient temperatures.
| Step | Action | Values | Yes | No |
|---|
| 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. |
| 1 | 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 . See Special Tools . Record the ambient air temperature displayed on the J 43600 . See Special Tools . Record the low and high side STATIC pressure readings. Are both the low side and high side pressures within the specified value? | More than 16°C (60°F) - 345 kPa (50 psi) More than 24°C (75°F) - 483 kPa (70 psi) More than 33°C (90°F) - 690 kPa (100 psi) | Go to Step 2 | Go to Leak Testing |
| 2 | IMPORTANT: Record the relative humidity and the ambient air temperature at the time of the test. Close the vehicle doors and windows. Open the drivers door window 12.7-15.2 cm (5-6 in). Select the following HVAC control settings: The A/C is ON The coldest temperature setting The maximum blower speed Recirculation mode The panel outlet mode All panel outlets are OPEN Install the temperature probes of the J 43600 in the left and right center panel air outlets. See Special Tools . Apply the parking brake. Place the transaxle/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: Press the RESET button, before using the print function of the J 43600 . See Special Tools . 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 |
| 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. RESET the J 43600 and record the pressures and temperatures again. See Special Tools . 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 |
| 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 |
| 5 | Is the low side pressure greater than the specified range, but the high side pressure within or less than the specified range? | | Go to Air Conditioning (A/C) Diagnostics - Pressure Zone B | Go to Step 6 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| IMPORTANT |
|---|
| Record the relative humidity and the ambient air temperature at the time of the test. |
| IMPORTANT |
|---|
| Press the RESET button, before using the print function of the J 43600 . See Special Tools . |
Scheme 1
| Ambient Temperature | Relative Humidity | Low Side Service Port Pressure | High Side Service Port Pressure | Maximum Left Center Discharge Air Temperature | Maximum Left Rear Discharge Air Temperature |
|---|
| 13-18°C (55-65°F) | 0-100% | 151-277 kPa (22-33 psi) | 1123-1446 kPa (163-210 psi) | 8°C (45°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| 19-24°C (66-75°F) | Below 40% | 165-261 kPa (24-38 psi) | 1150-1481 kPa (167-215 psi) | 8°C (46°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| Above 40% | 179-282 kPa (26-41 psi) | 1240-1557 kPa (180-226 psi) | 10°C (50°F) | 22°C (70°F) |
| 25-29°C (76-85°F) | Below 35% | 206-296 kPa (30-43 psi) | 1336-1598 kPa (194-232 psi) | 10°C (50°F) | 23°C (72°F) |
| 35-50% | 220-303 kPa (32-44 psi) | 1391-1612 kPa (202-234 psi) | 12°C (52°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| Above 50% | 227-323 kPa (33-47 psi) | 1419-1646 kPa (206-239 psi) | 13°C (55°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| 30-35°C (86-95°F) | Below 30% | 241-330 kPa (35-48 psi) | 1502-1756 kPa (218-255 psi) | 13°C (55°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| 30-50% | 248-344 kPa (36-50 psi) | 1508-1750 kPa (219-254 psi) | 15°C (59°F) | 28°C (81°F) |
| Above 50% | 261-372 kPa (38-54 psi) | 1529-1750 kPa (222-254 psi) | 18°C (63°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| 36-41°C (96-105°F) | Below 20% | 275-365 kPa (40-53 psi) | 1681-1929 kPa (244-280 psi) | 15°C (59°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| 20-40% | 282-378 kPa (41-55 psi) | 1681-1908 kPa (244-277 psi) | 18°C (63°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| Above 40% | 296-399 kPa (43-58 psi) | 1681-1880 kPa (244-273 psi) | 19°C (66°F) | 32°C (88°F) |
| 42-46°C (106-115°F) | Below 20% | 316-399 kPa (46-58 psi) | 1867-2080 kPa (271-302 psi) | 18°C (63°F) | 32°C (88°F) |
| Above 20% | 323-413 kPa (47-60 psi) | 1853-2039 kPa (269-296 psi) | 19°C (66°F) | 32°C (91°F) |
| 47-49°C (116-120°F) | Below 30% | 358-440 kPa (52-64 psi) | 1998-2197 kPa (290-319 psi) | 22°C (70°F) | 34°C (93°F) |
