A/C Refrigerant Pressure Sensor

The A/C refrigerant pressure sensor is a 3-wire piezoelectric pressure transducer. A 5-volt reference, low reference, and signal circuits enable the sensor to operate. The A/C pressure signal can be between 0-5 volts. When the A/C refrigerant pressure is low, the signal value is near 0 volts. When the A/C refrigerant pressure is high, the signal value is near 5 volts.

The A/C refrigerant pressure sensor protects the A/C system from operating when an excessively high or low pressure condition exists. The powertrain control module (PCM) disables the compressor clutch under the following conditions:

• A/C pressure is more than 2979 kPa (432 psi). The clutch will be enabled after the pressure decreases to less than 1510 kPa (219 psi).
• A/C pressure is less than 186 kPa (27 psi). The clutch will be enabled after the pressure increases to more than 207 kPa (30 psi).