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Info - J-43600 ACR 2000 Essential Refrigerant Recovery/Recharge Equipment

Subject:J-43600 ACR 2000 Essential Refrigerant Recovery/Recharge Equipment

Models:1993-2005 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
2003-2005 HUMMER H2
with R-134a Refrigerant



This bulletin is being revised to add the 2001 through 2005 model years and include HUMMER models. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 99-01-38-006A (Section 01 - HVAC).


Effective June 1, 2000, the use of J-43600 ACR 2000 will be required on all repairs that require A/C system recovery and are reimbursable by GM. Additionally, GM highly recommends that J-43600 ACR 2000 be used on all GM cars and trucks for customer paid A/C repairs.

Important: Also effective June 1, 2000, the "Add" time for all air conditioning recovery is revised to .5 hours for front systems and .7 hours for front/rear dual systems (RPO C69 or C34). After June 1, 2000, all air conditioning claims submitted with the .9 hours "Add" time will be rejected for "labor hours excessive".

After the completion of repairs (charging), the ACR 2000 will prompt the user to perform a snapshot of the air conditioning system operating data. The snapshot includes:

    • Maximum high side pressure.
    • Minimum low side pressure.
    • Duct outlet temperatures (2).
    • Refrigerant purity information.

This information is captured on a paper printout and in a warranty code.

For all GM paid repairs, the paper printout should be attached to the shop copy of the repair order. The warranty code must be submitted in the warranty claim information in the comments field. The code enables the reporting of valuable information about the repair to GM for product quality improvement. Claims submitted without this information may be subject to review and subsequent debit.

The required use of J-43600 ACR 2000 raises the question of the acceptable uses for any existing recovery/recycle equipment that GM dealers are currently using. GM recognizes that many of the previously essential ACR4's are reaching the end of their useful life. There are several alternatives for existing equipment that may be considered:

    • Use the existing equipment as customer paid recovery only equipment. Example: Collision repair area.
    • Use the existing equipment as a scavenger unit for contaminated A/C systems.
    • Sell the existing units to repair facilities outside the GM dealer network.
    • Discontinue the use of the existing units if the repair/maintenance costs exceed the value of the equipment.
    • Donate the existing equipment to local technical schools.
    • Dedicate the ACR4 to A/C system flushing, using the J-42939 Flush Adapter.