I want to check/recharge my AC for a 99 ranger. Last summer the AC was ice cold. This year it will not put out any cold air at all. I have a Chilton manual but it does not show you the AC layout. My questions is … where is the low side pressure valve…not sure if I am calling it the right thing. It is where I would put my gauge and recharge it at. Thanks in advance for the help. One more question…do you think this could be the problem? Or is there another path I should take.

 

This should help. Your '99 is exacly like the '98.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...hreadid=133649

FWIW, I just had to replace my A/C's high presure line and the "manifold and tube" (it's all one piece), it had 2 pinholes in the rubber part that leads to the compressor. My A/C was working fine and then one day it wasn't, so things just happened out of the blue like that.

 

Thank you so very much Rockledge. The sad thing is I did try to get a reading off of the low side port that is shown in the diagram. I could only get a very very low reading, but when I tried to add refrigerant to the port it would not take any. I had the engine running and the AC on high.

This is why I was asking …to make sure I did have the correct port. Any advice on why I can not get it to take new refrigerant.

 

Does the compressor run at all?

If you jump the cylcling switch harness connector pins, the compressor should operate. If there is any freon in the system you should get cold air while the compressor is running. If you're still getting hot air while it's running then you're probably out of freon.

I'm not sure why an A/C system would not accept a charge, if it is indeed low. Maybe someone better versed in the A/C stuff will chime in with some more info.

 

What's your opinion of using the freon that has the red dye? It's supposed to pin point leaks, but does it do any damage to your AC system?

 

go for it.with the red dye you will need the special uv glasses to see it though. and make sure to use r134a. but don't use a oil charge can.

 

Where do I get the UV glasses and what's an oil charge can?

 

they sell r134a in 12 oz cans by itself then they sell one which has 8 ox r14a and 2 oz uv dye and 2 oz oil you don't want the extra oil in the system. so just buy one with r134a and uv leak detector and stop leak.