Refrigerant Pressure Sensor / Switch: Description and Operation
A/C REFRIGERANT PRESSURE SENSORThe 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 PCM converts the voltage signal to a pressure value.
The A/C refrigerant pressure sensor protects the A/C system from operating when an excessively high pressure condition exists. The PCM disables the compressor clutch if the A/C pressure is more than 2957 kPa (429 psi). The clutch will be enabled after the pressure decreases to less than 1578 kPa (229 psi).