GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement 3.1L

Tools Required

J 39400-A Halogen Leak Detector

Removal Procedure

  1. Recover the refrigerant. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  2. Remove the cross vehicle brace. Refer to Cross Vehicle Brace Replacement in Body Front End.
  3. Remove the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechanical-3.1L.
  4. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  5. Remove the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  6. Remove the right side engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  7. Remove the A/C compressor hose bolt.
  8. Disconnect the A/C compressor hose from the A/C compressor.
  9. Disconnect the electrical connector from the A/C compressor.
  10. Remove and discard the sealing washers.

  11. Object Number: 277918  Size: SH
  12. Remove the lower A/C compressor mounting bolts.
  13. Remove the upper A/C compressor mounting bolts.
  14. Remove the A/C compressor.

  15. Object Number: 301171  Size: SH
  16. If replacing the compressor, drain and measure as much of the oil as possible from the removed compressor:
  17. 14.1. Drain the oil from both the suction and discharge ports of the removed compressor into a clean container.
    14.2. Remove the compressor crankcase oil drain plug (1) and drain the crankcase oil into the same container.
    14.3. Measure and record the amount of oil drained from the removed compressor.

    This measurement will be used during installation of the replacement compressor.

    14.4. Properly discard the used PAG oil.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 301171  Size: SH

    Important: Replacement A/C compressors are shipped without oil. Refer to Refrigerant System Capacities for A/C compressor oil capacity.

  1. Add the proper amount of PAG oil to the compressor crankcase.
  2. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  3. Install the compressor drain plug (1).
  4. Tighten the compressor drain plug.
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the drain plug to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).


    Object Number: 277918  Size: SH
  6. Install the A/C compressor.
  7. Install the A/C compressor upper mounting bolts.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  9. Install the A/C compressor lower mounting bolts.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the bolts to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

  11. Install the new sealing washers. Refer to Compressor Sealing Washers Replacement .
  12. Install the A/C compressor hose assembly to the A/C compressor.
  13. Install the A/C compressor hose nut to the compressor.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 33 N·m (24 lb ft).

  15. Connect the electrical connector to the A/C compressor.
  16. Install the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  17. Install the right side engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  18. Lower the vehicle.
  19. Install the accessory drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechanical-3.1L.
  20. Install the cross vehicle brace. Refer to Cross Vehicle Brace Replacement in Body Front End.
  21. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  22. Leak test the fittings of the component using J 39400-A .

Air Conditioning Compressor Replacement 3.8L

Tools Required

J 39400-A Halogen Leak Detector

Removal Procedure

  1. Recover the refrigerant. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  2. Remove the cross vehicle brace. Refer to Cross Vehicle Brace Replacement in Body Front End.
  3. Remove the accessory drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechanical-3.8L.
  4. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  5. Remove the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  6. Remove the right side engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  7. Remove the A/C compressor hose bolt.
  8. Disconnect the A/C compressor hose from A/C compressor.
  9. Disconnect the electrical connector from the A/C compressor.
  10. Remove and discard the sealing washers.

  11. Object Number: 277915  Size: SH
  12. Remove the A/C compressor rear mounting bolts.
  13. Remove the A/C compressor front mounting nuts.
  14. Remove the A/C compressor.

  15. Object Number: 301171  Size: SH
  16. If replacing the compressor, drain and measure as much of the oil as possible from the removed compressor:
  17. 14.1. Drain the oil from both the suction and discharge ports of the removed compressor into a clean container.
    14.2. Remove the compressor crankcase oil drain plug (1) and drain the crankcase oil into the same container.
    14.3. Measure and record the amount of oil drained from the removed compressor.

    This measurement will be used during installation of the replacement compressor.

    14.4. Properly discard the used PAG oil.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 301171  Size: SH

    Important: Replacement A/C compressors are shipped without oil. Refer to Refrigerant System Capacities for A/C compressor oil capacity.

  1. Add the proper amount of PAG oil to the compressor crankcase.
  2. Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  3. Install the compressor drain plug (1).
  4. Tighten the compressor drain plug.
  5. Tighten
    Tighten the drain plug to 20 N·m (15 lb ft).


    Object Number: 277915  Size: SH
  6. Install the A/C compressor.
  7. Install the A/C compressor front nuts.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  9. Install the A/C compressor rear bolts.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

  11. Install the new sealing washers. Refer to Compressor Sealing Washers Replacement .
  12. Install the A/C compressor hose assembly to the rear of the A/C compressor.
  13. Install the A/C compressor hose nut to the compressor.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 33 N·m (24 lb ft).

  15. Connect the electrical connector to the A/C compressor.
  16. Install the lower air deflector. Refer to Radiator Air Lower Baffle and Deflector Replacement in Engine Cooling.
  17. Install the right side engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  18. Lower the vehicle.
  19. Install the accessory drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement in Engine Mechanical-3.8L.
  20. Install the cross vehicle brace. Refer to Cross Vehicle Brace Replacement in Body Front End.
  21. Evacuate and recharge the A/C system. Refer to Refrigerant Recovery and Recharging .
  22. Leak test the fittings of the component using J 39400-A .