'03 GMC Envoy - Pressure sensor question

[Willie]

2003 GMC Envoy - The sensor that is on the refrigerant pipe very close to the compressor is physically broken. Is there a Schrader valve between the sensor and the refrigerant line so the sensor can be changed without recovering the refrigerant? I know GM Tech will know the answer. Thanks!

[Tom Greenleaf]

Oh Willie - times with GM Tech around I'm not sure he's here at all. Your are right, he would know which things did or didn't use a Shrader* or not. I have to say use gloves and be ready to run! If it had one it's going to hiss as we know till past a point and either quit or shoot off like a projectile and hit the most costly other thing in the area meaning not sure there's a perfect answer.

That or discharge the system slowly so not lose much or any oil then you'll know and it wont react or be dangerous so default to that way and if like me probably forget if you see one again or worse be wrong they are not all done the same?

* About the term Shrader? It is the inventor's name drives "spell check" programs nuts. It's spelled both ways TMK like Freon means only by Dupont if a capital "F" and was changed to just mean refrigerant if lower case. Then at least my devices over some many years now change it without me knowing till later see it another way just those details change the intended meaning of things. How special?

[Willie]

Looking at it last night I would bet it does not have a schrader valve - it is right on the hose manifold at the compressor. There doesn't look like there's much room for one there. It was in the way of one of the compressor mounting bolts and broke when I got in there to disconnect the compressor from the block and the oil pan. The sad part is that there was nothing wrong with the a/c system - until now... I'm replacing the oil pan and was moving things out of the way when it broke.


The autocorrect got me on schrader. It did it again until I manually corrected it.

[Tom Greenleaf]

"When in doubt" as they say." Hey, if just one item and fast to replace added suggestion is just remove refrigerant to about even pressure not a vacuum for a quick swap. Just allows for less time to have 100% air in anywhere.

Spell checking - the sites or some whacked program in my computer. Seems Windows 10 (what it is) doesn't know odd words not used all over ordinary language. Watch this thing mess me up with this comment? Not ready yet for self driving cars out there. WE (mankind and technology us the butt) kinda messed up with aircraft by Boeing at the moment is pretty apparent not proven by me a fault yet but did admit it!

If bored enough just search out stuff that YOU know is totally wrong it's going to stay there forever. Ex: Scotty Kilmer and see the one on washing your catalytic converters with dish soap, water and a bucket to save a buck! It's there YouTube look for it,

[Cusser]

If bored enough just search out stuff that YOU know is totally wrong it's going to stay there forever. Ex: Scotty Kilmer and see the one on washing your catalytic converters with dish soap, water and a bucket to save a buck! It's there YouTube look for it,

I know someone who talked about "washing his bad catalytic converter" with lacquer thinner. He "must've been told" by someone that was wrong with his car and found that "information" on YouTube. All I know is a couple of days later that car caught on fire, which caused his house to catch fire. Essentially a complete loss. Really.

[Tom Greenleaf]

He altered that it's there now starts at about 1min/40seconds using laundry detergent. First time was showing it cut off with torches (that's 3,500F +/-) sure most folks have oxy/acet torches laying around? Try re-welding that metal is near impossible just to fix a gasket collar if that type.

Yes, there are many using lacquer thinner. You know almost all might work for a very short time even just beat the hell out of an engine with heaving load or WOT many times till it maxes out even force a lower gear if vehicle allows RPMs to go nuts so exhaust is glowing hot can clean it a little

Link still alive just part way thru >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5icTmYItwiE << There. Been a while some suggestion good some were totally off the wall??

[Cusser]

I know someone who talked about "washing his bad catalytic converter" with lacquer thinner. He "must've been told" by someone that was wrong with his car and found that "information" on YouTube. All I know is a couple of days later that car caught on fire, which caused his house to catch fire. Really.

Newspaper estimated damage at $200K; house was worth at most $200K.

[Willie]

I forgot to post a follow up to my question. There was a schrader valve in the refrigerant manifold for the sensor in question! It was less than a 5 minute job to swap out the sensor and I did not need to mess with the refrigerant.

[Tom Greenleaf]

Thanks for the follow up. It was some other thing first time didn't know and emptied a system to find it was on a Schrader! Can fool you (as you know) part way unscrewed of that item of course it would hiss/spit for a bit. Don't stop and find out either way ready with two pairs of leather gloves it shut right up as I went fast also ready to RUN!

Then later find out Schraders can be there and so out of adjustment they keep on slow leaking anyway. Always something be ready for anything,
(auto spell of some critter keeps re-correcting word Shrader - many spellings are right TMK)