Evaporator Temperature Sensor: Operation
The Body Control Module (BCM) will send a Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) bus message to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which will check engine, coolant temperature, and refrigerant pressure temperature before turning ON the A/C Compressor Clutch. Turning ON the A/C Compressor Clutch will allow the system to cool the evaporator. The BCM will send a message to the PCM when the evaporator temperature becomes too cold. The PCM will then turn OFF the A/C Compressor Clutch, before evaporator freeze up occurs. The DRBIII(R) scan tool can be used to monitor this operation. The temperature set point at which the clutch is turned OFF varies with the outside ambient temperature. The temperature at which the clutch is turned ON is preset to 2- F above the OFF setpoint mentioned above. Refer to EVAPORATOR TEMPERATURE SENSOR SET POINT table and (Fig 1 ) for the correct setpoint.
| AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SENSOR READING °F (° C) | A/C CLUTCH OFF EVAPORATOR TEMPERATURE SET POINT ° F (° C) |
|---|---|
| 185 (85) | 31 (-0.5) |
| 100(37.7) | 31 (-0.5) |
| 77 (25) | 34(1.1) |
| 60(15.5) | 35(1.6) |
| -70 (-56.6) | 36 (2.2) |