For 1990-2009 cars

Refer to

#### A/C Controls

Engine Controls Components
Information Sensors
Cooling Fan Controls
Transaxle Controls
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice
schematic.

### Circuit Description

The A/C system uses an A/C refrigerant pressure sensor mounted in the high pressure side of the A/C refrigerant system to monitor A/C refrigerant pressure. The PCM uses this information to turn ON the engine coolant fans when the A/C refrigerant pressure is high and to keep the compressor disengaged when A/C refrigerant pressure is excessively high or low.

The A/C refrigerant pressure sensor operates like other 3-wire sensors. The PCM applies a 5.0 volt reference and a sensor ground to the sensor. Changes in the A/C refrigerant pressure will cause the A/C refrigerant pressure input to the PCM to vary. The PCM monitors the A/C refrigerant pressure signal circuit and can determine when the signal is outside of the possible range of the sensor. When the signal is out of range (high or low) for a prolonged period of time, the PCM will set DTC P0530. When DTC P0530 is set, the PCM will not allow the A/C compressor clutch to engage. This is done to protect the compressor.

### Conditions for Setting the DTC

• | A/C refrigerant pressure sensor signal voltage is below 0.1 Volts with the engine running and A/C requested.

• | A/C refrigerant pressure sensor signal voltage is above 4.94 Volts with the engine running and the A/C requested.

### Action Taken When the DTC Sets

• | The PCM will not illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL).

• | The PCM will store conditions which were present when the DTC set as Failure Records data only. This information will not be stored as Freeze Frame data.

### Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

• | A History DTC will clear after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles have occurred without a malfunction.

• | The DTC can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear Info function.

### Diagnostic Aids

Check for the following conditions:

• | Poor connection at PCM. Inspect harness connectors for backed out terminals, improper mating, broken locks, improperly formed or damaged terminals, and poor terminal to wire connection.

• | Damaged harness. Inspect the wiring harness for damage. If the harness appears to be OK, observe the A/C pressure display on the scan tool while moving connectors and wiring harnesses related to the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor. A change in the A/C pressure display will indicate the location of the fault.

If DTC P0530 cannot be duplicated, reviewing the Fail Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.

### Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the Diagnostic Table.

1. Normal A/C pressure sensor signal voltage is between 0.1 and 4.8 volts. If A/C voltage is within range, review Fail Records data to determine the conditions that were present when DTC P0530 set.

2. If the A/C refrigerant pressure signal voltage stays high after disconnecting the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor electrical connector, the signal circuit is shorted to voltage or the PCM is faulty.

3. This vehicle is equipped with a PCM which utilizes an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM). When the PCM is being replaced, the new PCM must be programmed.

#### DTC P0530 - A/C Refrigerant Pressure Sensor Circuit

Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
1 | Was the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check performed? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check
2 | Observe the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor voltage. Is the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor voltage less than the specified value? | 0.1V | Go to Step 5 | Go to Step 3
3 | Is the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor voltage greater than the specified value? | 4.8V | Go to Step 4 | Go to Diagnostic Aids
4 | Disconnect the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor while observing A/C refrigerant pressure sensor voltage on the scan tool. Does the scan tool indicate voltage near the specified value? | 0.0V | Go to Step 12 | Go to Step 11
5 |

1. Disconnect the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor.
2. Connect a fused jumper between the terminals for the A/C refrigerant pressure signal circuit and the 5 volt reference B circuit at the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor harness connector.
3. Observe A/C refrigerant pressure sensor voltage on the scan tool.

Does the scan tool indicate A/C refrigerant pressure sensor voltage near the specified value?

5V

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 6

6 | Using a Digital Multimeter, measure voltage between the 5 volt reference B circuit and the ground circuit at the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor harness connector. Is voltage near the specified value? | 5V | Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 7
7 | Check for a poor 5 volt reference B circuit terminal connection at the PCM. Refer to Troubleshooting Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found? | -- | Go to Step 17 | Go to Step 8
8 | Check for an open or a faulty splice in the 5 volt reference B circuit. Refer to Troubleshooting Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found? | -- | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 13
9 | Check the A/C refrigerant pressure signal circuit for a poor terminal connection at the PCM. Refer to Troubleshooting Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found? | -- | Go to Step 17 | Go to Step 10
10 | Check the A/C refrigerant pressure signal circuit between the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor connector and the PCM for an open or short to ground. Refer to Troubleshooting Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found? | -- | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 20
11 | Check the A/C refrigerant pressure signal circuit between the A/C pressure sensor connector and the PCM for a short to voltage. Refer to Troubleshooting Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found? | -- | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 20
12 | Check for a short to voltage on the 5 volt reference B circuit. Refer to Troubleshooting Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found? | -- | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 13
13 | Check for a poor sensor ground circuit terminal connection at the PCM. Refer to Troubleshooting Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found? | -- | Go to Step 17 | Go to Step 14
14 | Check for a poor sensor ground circuit terminal connection at the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor connector. Was a problem found? | -- | Go to Step 17 | Go to Step 15
15 | Check for an open or a faulty splice in the sensor ground circuit. Refer to Troubleshooting Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Was a problem found? | -- | Go to Step 18 | Go to Step 19
16 | Check for a poor 5 volt reference B circuit or A/C refrigerant pressure signal circuit terminal connection at the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor. Was a problem found? | -- | Go to Step 17 | Go to Step 19
17 | Replace the faulty harness connector terminal. Refer to Repair Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Is action complete? | -- | Go to Step 21 | --
18 | Locate and repair open/short circuit in wiring harness as necessary. Refer to Repair Procedures in Electrical Diagnosis. Is action complete? | -- | Go to Step 21 | --
19 | Replace the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor. Refer to On-Vehicle Service in Heater, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Is action complete? | -- | Go to Step 21 | --
20 | Replace the PCM. Important:: The replacement PCM must be programmed. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming . Is action complete? | -- | Go to Step 21 | a --
21 |

1. Clear DTCs.
2. Note the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor voltage displayed on the scan tool.

Is the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor voltage between the specified values?

0.1V - 4.8V

System OK

Go to Step 2