A/C freon refill question

**hix5000** · 08-28-2009, 03:37 PM

My ac went out today so I picked up one of those cans of 134a from autozone. I hooked it up to the low side connector and the gage on the refill can broke (it pegged clockwise all the way around and now stays there). So does that mean I have super high pressure on my low side for some reason?

**Smittro** · 08-28-2009, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by hix5000

My ac went out today so I picked up one of those cans of 134a from autozone. I hooked it up to the low side connector and the gage on the refill can broke (it pegged clockwise all the way around and now stays there). So does that mean I have super high pressure on my low side for some reason?

Was the vehicle running? If not it needs to be..

**hix5000** · 08-28-2009, 03:42 PM

Sorry,

Yeah it was running I had the ac set to recirculate and the fan on max. The compressor is not running atm.

**Smittro** · 08-28-2009, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by hix5000

Sorry,

Yeah it was running I had the ac set to recirculate and the fan on max. The compressor is not running atm.

The compressor needs to be running.

**hix5000** · 08-28-2009, 03:47 PM

Hmm, is there a way to force it to run (jumper wire or something)?

**Smittro** · 08-28-2009, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by hix5000

Hmm, is there a way to force it to run (jumper wire or something)?

Don't know about that but usually if you set the sellector to just the A/C (not max) setting the pump will engage. However some times in order to add 134a to a system it will need to be vacuumed out by a shop..

The pump also engages when the defroster is used too..Could'nt hurt to check the fuse either.

**hix5000** · 08-28-2009, 03:57 PM

Fuse is good. No luck with the compressor in any of those modes.

**Smittro** · 08-28-2009, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by hix5000

Fuse is good. No luck with the compressor in any of those modes.

I'd take it to a shop @ this point IMHO. FYI r134a can blind you instantly..

**hix5000** · 08-28-2009, 04:06 PM

Frostbite is fun!

**pajeff02** · 08-28-2009, 04:55 PM

If the system is low on refrigerant, the compressor will not run. However, as you charge it, once the pressure is enough to trip the low limit switch your compressor should engage. This is assuming the system is actually low to start with. I do not believe the cans can overcharge a system as they simply match the pressure to what the system is designed for (unless you are using something different than what I am thinking).

**hix5000** · 08-28-2009, 05:12 PM

The pressure seems to be so high that the can will not flow into the system.

**pajeff02** · 08-28-2009, 05:16 PM

Heed Smittro's advice and take it to a shop to have it checked.

**jaydean21849** · 08-29-2009, 05:09 AM

if it is overcharged the compressor will not come on just take it to a shop u need to have guages put on it anyway 134 is not expensive like r12 was plus if the orifice valve is clogged your ac wont work

**Cutlass** · 08-29-2009, 05:12 AM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

I do not believe the cans can overcharge a system as they simply match the pressure to what the system is designed for (unless you are using something different than what I am thinking).

The cans can overcharge a system. If you hook up to the low side with the compressor running it'll keep sucking in the freon until you stop it or the system is overcharged. My friend did that to his jeep. He kept hooking up cans until the compressor was slugged with liquid freon and destroyed the compressor.

**pajeff02** · 08-29-2009, 05:39 AM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

The cans can overcharge a system. If you hook up to the low side with the compressor running it'll keep sucking in the freon until you stop it or the system is overcharged. My friend did that to his jeep. He kept hooking up cans until the compressor was slugged with liquid freon and destroyed the compressor.

Agreed. I forgot the low side also has a port for checking pressure. That would be a big oops.