Refrigerant System Performance Test

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Inspect the refrigerant pressure. (See REFRIGERANT PRESSURE CHECK .)
Place a dry-bulb thermometer in the driver-side center ventilator outlet.

Fig 1: Identifying Dry-Bulb Thermometer In Driver-Side Center Ventilator Outlet
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
Start the engine and warm it up.
Prepare the vehicle as follows.
- Airflow volume: MAX HI
- A/C switch: ON
- Air intake port: REC
- Airflow temperature: MAX COLD
- Airflow mode: VENT
- Hood: Open
- All the doors and the trunk: Close
- All the windows: Close
- Engine speed: 1, 500 rpm
Wait until the air conditioner output temperature stabilizes. (The A/C compressor repeatedly turns on and off at regular intervals.)
Verify the air conditioner output temperature and the ambient temperature.
NOTE:
- Measure the air conditioner output temperature after approx. 10 min have elapsed from engine start.
Verify that there is air conditioner output temperature readings within the shaded areas of the figure.

Fig 2: Air Conditioner Output Temperature Graph
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
- If not as verified, inspect the refrigerant system according to the troubleshooting chart. (See FOREWORD [CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT (FULL-AUTO AIR CONDITIONER)] .) (See FOREWORD [CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT (MANUAL AIR CONDITIONER)] .)