TSB: U004/96

POOR A/C PERFORMANCE

AFFECTED MODELS

1996 Protege with a 1.5L engine.

DESCRIPTION

Some vehicles may experience poor A/C system performance. This concern is caused by reverse polarity at the condenser fan.

If a customer complains of poor A/C performance, follow the inspection and repair procedure listed in this bulletin. Dealership PDI personnel should include the following inspection and, if necessary, repair during the PDI process.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

1. Open hood.

2. Confirm that a "RED" mark is applied to the top of the white OEM hood rod retaining bracket.

• If the "RED" mark is present, the condenser fan wiring has been already corrected. Refer to the workshop manual for troubleshooting information.

• If the "RED" mark is not present, proceed to step 3.

3. Start engine and turn A/C on.

4. Turn A/C off and confirm rotation direction of the condenser fan.

• If the fan blades are turning clockwise, the condenser fan wiring is not the problem. Refer to the workshop manual for troubleshooting information.

• If the fan blades are turning counter-clockwise, proceed to the Repair Procedure section of this bulletin.

NOTE:

• Fan rotation direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) is the direction the fan is turning when viewed from the rear of the engine compartment.

• Fan direction can also be confirmed by placing your hand over the far passenger side opening in the front grille. If air is forced outward, the fan rotation is counter-clockwise. If air is being sucked inward, the fan rotation is clockwise.

Fig. 1

REPAIR PROCEDURE

1. Remove the upper seal board above the hood latch by disengaging six (6) plastic screw clips.

2. Locate the back of the condenser fan connector (G3-03) ( not vehicle harness) located at the top of the fan shroud condenser side.

3. Confirm that the passenger side wire is "BLACK" and the driver's side wire is "BLUE."

• If the passengers side wire is "BLACK" refer to the workshop manual from troubleshooting and repair instructions.

• If the passengers side wire is "BLUE" proceed to step 4.

4. Disconnect the condenser fan vehicle harness from the condenser fan connector. Fig. 2

5. Disengage the connector retainer clip at the top of the fan shroud and pull the connector away from the shroud.

6. Disengage the yellow terminal retainer from the condenser connector. Slide the yellow retainer approximately 1/4 inch from condenser connector. Fig. 6

7. Use a pick or a terminal tool to remove the terminals from the condenser connector. Fig. 4

8. Slide the "BLACK" and "BLUE" wires out of the yellow terminal retainer.

9. Insert the "BLACK" and "BLUE" wires through the yellow terminal retainer in the correct position.

10. Insert the "BLACK" and "BLUE" wires into the back of the condenser connector and click into place.

11. Install the yellow terminal retainer into the condenser connector.

12. Hold the condenser connector and lightly tug on the wires to confirm they are installed securely.

13. Install the condenser connector onto the fan shroud. Fig. 5

14. Connect the condenser fan vehicle harness to the condenser fan connector.

15. Install the upper seal board.

16. Verify repair by confirming fan rotation.

17. Use a RED permanent marker to place a mark on the top of the hood rod retaining bracket.

NOTE: Fan should rotate in a clockwise direction when viewed from the back of the engine compartment.

PARTS INFORMATION

Parts personnel should check dealerstock of A/C kits (BC1C-61-410A) with a serial number from 960308 to 960610. The serial number is located on a "WHITE" label on the evaporator housing. Check the condenser fan wiring prior to installation. Refer to Figure 5 for correct wire location.

WARRANTY INFORMATION

(Applies To Verified Customer Complaints On Vehicles Covered Under Normal Warranty. Refer To The SRT Microfiche For Warranty Term Information.)

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Warranty Type

A

Symptom Code

A1

Damage Code

AA

Part Number Main Cause

Z501-15-035

Quantity

0

Operation Number

YY109XRX

Labor Hours

0.2 Hrs.