GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the HVAC Diagnostic System Check?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check

2

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  3. Perform the Recalibrate all Motors command in the instrument panel module Special Functions using the scan tool.
  4. Observe the current DTC list in the instrument panel module using the scan tool.

Does the scan tool display any DTCs?

--

Go to DTC Table

Go to Step 3

3

Did the customer concern occur during A/C mode operation?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 10

4

IMPORTANT: Indicated outside air temperature must be above 16°C (60°F).

  1. Cover the sunload sensor.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Fully open all panel outlets.
  4. Adjust driver side temperature to 16°C (60°F).
  5. Select PANEL mode.
  6. Set blower speed to maximum.
  7. Adjust passenger HVAC control to neutral.
  8. Ensure that the VENT mode indicator is not illuminated.

Are right and left center panel outlet temperatures similar?

--

System OK

Go to Step 5

5

Perform the refrigerant system performance test. Refer to System Performance Test .

Are low and high side pressures within specification?

--

Go to Step 6

Go to VDOT Air Conditioning (A/C) System Diagnosis

6

Check right and left panel temperature sensors for proper installation. Refer to Panel Discharge Sensor Replacement - Left Side and Panel Discharge Sensor Replacement - Right Side .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 7

7

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Cover the sunload sensor.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Adjust driver side temperature to 24°C (75°F).
  5. Adjust passenger HVAC control to neutral.
  6. With a scan tool, observe the Right and Left Solar Sensor data parameters in the instrument panel module Open/Short Data list.

Does the scan tool indicate that both the right and left solar sensor parameters are greater than the specified value?

230 Counts

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 18

8

  1. Uncover the sunload sensor.
  2. Direct a light source at the right and then the left side of the sunload sensor.

Do the counts change similarly and correspond to the proper side of the sunload sensor?

--

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 18

9

  1. Install a thermometer in the panel duct near the right and left panel temperature sensors.
  2. With a scan tool, observe the Right and Left A/C Duct Temp data parameters in the instrument panel module HVAC Sensors data list.

Does the scan tool indicate sensor temperatures near the thermometer temperatures within the specified range?

+3°C (5°F) to -3°C (-5°F)

System OK

Go to Step 16

10

  1. Ensure that the engine temperature is cool.
  2. Check the coolant level in the radiator and the reservoir.

Is the coolant system full?

--

Go to Step 11

Go to Heating Insufficient

11

  1. Cover the sunload sensor.
  2. Start the engine.
  3. Fully open all panel outlets.
  4. Adjust driver side temperature to 32°C (90°F).
  5. Select FLOOR mode.
  6. Set blower speed to maximum.
  7. Adjust passenger HVAC control to neutral.

Are right and left outlet temperatures similar?

--

System OK

Go to Step 12

12

Check right and left panel and heater temperature sensors for proper installation. Refer to Panel Discharge Sensor Replacement - Left Side , Panel Discharge Sensor Replacement - Right Side and Heater Temperature Sensor Replacement .

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 13

13

  1. Install a scan tool.
  2. Cover the sunload sensor.
  3. Start the engine.
  4. Adjust driver side temperature to 24°C (75°F).
  5. Adjust passenger HVAC control to neutral.
  6. With a scan tool, observe the Right and Left Solar Sensor data parameters in the instrument panel module Open/Short Data list.

Does the scan tool indicate that both the right and left solar sensor parameters are greater than the specified value?

230 Counts

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 18

14

  1. Uncover the sunload sensor.
  2. Direct a light source at the right and then the left side of the sunload sensor.

Do the counts change similarly and correspond to the proper side of the sunload sensor?

--

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 18

15

  1. Install a thermometer in the panel duct near the right and left panel temperature sensors and in the closeout/insulator panels near the right and left heater temperature sensors.
  2. With a scan tool, observe the Right and Left A/C Duct Temp data parameters and Right and Left HTR Duct Temp data parameters in the instrument panel module HVAC Sensors data list.

Does the scan tool indicate sensor temperatures near the thermometer temperatures within the specified range?

+3°C (5°F) to -3°C (-5°F)

System OK

Go to Step 16

16

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the suspect temperature sensor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 17

17

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Test the suspect temperature sensor resistance. Refer to Sensor Resistance Table .

Does the resistance measure near the specified value?

--

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 21

18

Inspect for proper orientation (installation) and poor connections at the harness connector of the sunload sensor . Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 20

19

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the instrument panel module. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 22

20

Replace the sunload sensor. Refer to Sunload and Twilight Sentinel Sensor Replacement in Instrument Panel, Gauges and Console.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

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21

Replace the temperature sensor. Refer to Panel Discharge Sensor Replacement - Left Side , Panel Discharge Sensor Replacement - Right Side or Heater Temperature Sensor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

22

Replace the instrument panel module. Refer to Instrument Panel Module Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

--

Go to Step 23

--

23

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

--

System OK

Go to Step 2