For 1990-2009 cars
Engine Controls Components
A/C Compressor Controls
OBD II Symbol Description Notice
Handling ESD Sensitive Parts Notice

### 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

• | The engine is running.

• | System voltage is greater than 10 volts.

• | A/C is requested.

• | A/C refrigerant pressure sensor signal voltage is less than 0.4 volt.

OR

• | A/C refrigerant pressure sensor signal voltage is greater than 4.6 volts.

• | Either of the above conditions for longer than 20 seconds.

### 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

Number(s) below refer to the step number(s) 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. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming .

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

Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
1 | Was the Powertrain OBD System Check performed? | -- | Go to Step 2 | Go to the Powertrain On Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check
2 | Note the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor voltage. Is the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor voltage less than the specified value? | 0.1 V | Go to Step 5 | Go to Step 3
3 | Is the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor voltage greater than the specified value? | 4.8 V | 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 V | 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?

5 V

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 6

6 | Using a DMM, 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? | 5 V | Go to Step 9 | Go to Step 7
7 | Check for a poor 5 Volt reference B circuit terminal connection at the PCM. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 21 | --
18 | Locate and repair open/short circuit in wiring harness as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems. Is action complete? | -- | Go to Step 21 | --
19 | Replace the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) Refrigerant Pressure Sensor Replacement in HVAC System -- Manual. Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 21 | --
20 | Important: : The replacement PCM must be programmed. Refer to Powertrain Control Module Replacement/Programming . Replace the PCM. Is the action complete? | -- | Go to Step 21 | --
21 |

1. Clear DTCs.
2. Note the A/C refrigerant pressure sensor voltage.

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

0.1 V -4.8 V

System OK

Go to Step 2