Narrative:

We flew an A319 from ZZZ to ZZZ1 and were scheduled to continue in the aircraft to ZZZ2. Enroute from ZZZ we wrote up a pressurization fluctuation in the automatic mode; both sys 1 and 2. When ZZZ1 maintenance began troubleshooting; they attempted to close the outflow valve using the manual pressurization mode. This mode was inoperative- it failed to move the outflow valve. This led to cancellation of the flight to ZZZ2 and the aircraft being taken out of service. My question is how often is the manual pressurization mode of the A320 fleet at our carrier checked? How is a crew to know this emergency backup mode is operational? If maintenance is not required to check this in a timely fashion; perhaps it needs to be part of our first flight of the day cockpit checks. The airbus at our carrier has a history of pressurization and bleed problems. We need to know our emergency backup for pressurization; will work when we need it.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An A319 Captain reported cabin pressurization fluctuations in the automatic mode; in both system #1 and 2 positions during climb power setting. During troubleshooting; Maintenance also noticed the manual mode switch would not control the outflow valve.

Narrative: We flew an A319 from ZZZ to ZZZ1 and were scheduled to continue in the aircraft to ZZZ2. Enroute from ZZZ we wrote up a pressurization fluctuation in the automatic mode; both sys 1 and 2. When ZZZ1 Maintenance began troubleshooting; they attempted to close the outflow valve using the manual pressurization mode. This mode was inoperative- it failed to move the outflow valve. This led to cancellation of the flight to ZZZ2 and the aircraft being taken out of service. My question is how often is the manual pressurization mode of the A320 fleet at our carrier checked? How is a crew to know this emergency backup mode is operational? If Maintenance is not required to check this in a timely fashion; perhaps it needs to be part of our first flight of the day cockpit checks. The Airbus at our carrier has a history of pressurization and bleed problems. We need to know our emergency backup for pressurization; will work when we need it.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.