Explorer AC charge?
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Explorer AC charge?
I have a 96 Explorer (R-134). I have never had the AC charged and it has always worked fine. Just started using it again and noticed that it is not as cold as it was last year, although it is still cool.
I notice that the compressor is coming on for about 5 seconds and then turning off... and this repeats every 15 seconds or so. Is this normal operation or a sign of low 134 pressure or compressor problem? Should I try a recharge kit?
I also read some threads about recharging the system and went to Wal-Mart... but it seems all they have is cans of 134+oil+sealer (no 134 alone). Is this the stuff I want? I have heard bad things about using sealer in the system.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jeff
I notice that the compressor is coming on for about 5 seconds and then turning off... and this repeats every 15 seconds or so. Is this normal operation or a sign of low 134 pressure or compressor problem? Should I try a recharge kit?
I also read some threads about recharging the system and went to Wal-Mart... but it seems all they have is cans of 134+oil+sealer (no 134 alone). Is this the stuff I want? I have heard bad things about using sealer in the system.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jeff
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From: Colorado, U.S.A!
I wouldn't use the sealer, I've heard bad things, too. If it's never needed service until now, you probably don't need it anyway.
Some cycling is normal, depending on temperature and engine rpm, but if the refrigerant is low, it'll cycle more frequently and cool less.
Some cycling is normal, depending on temperature and engine rpm, but if the refrigerant is low, it'll cycle more frequently and cool less.
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From: Cleveland, TN area.
Unless you had a major loss of oil and freon do not use the 134+ anything. It is normal to lose some freon over a year. All you need is a charge. Don't add an oil charge. Other places will have what you need.(just the 134A no additives)
Good luck.
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TomCarperNGiles
Good luck.
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TomCarperNGiles
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Thanks all... I had to go to 3 stores but finally found a separate gauge (not packaged with r134/oil/sealer) and a can of DOW r134 without oil or sealer in it. I will give it a try tonight...
From what I am reading here in the forum, the low side pressure will change as the compressor goes on and off (mine is cyclying every 10 seocnds or so)... I am only concerned about the pressure while the compressor is on being between 35 and 45, correct? Not concerned at all about pressure while compressor is off, right?
Jeff
From what I am reading here in the forum, the low side pressure will change as the compressor goes on and off (mine is cyclying every 10 seocnds or so)... I am only concerned about the pressure while the compressor is on being between 35 and 45, correct? Not concerned at all about pressure while compressor is off, right?
Jeff
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OK... I must be missing something...
I bought a gauge from Advance Auto parts and some DOW r134.
My compressor is cyclying 13 seconds off and 4 seconds on. The pressure when on goes to about 24 and when off goes up to about 44.
When I connect the can to the gauge/trigger and try to charge the system, I do not hear anything flowing into the system, and the gauge pressures do not change. How long should it take to empty a 12oz can into the system? The can does get cold. Seems to not be charging.
Also, a stupid question, but here goes... when I screw the can onto the charger handle I bought at Advance, it pierces the can. So, how do I take it off without releasing r134 all over the place if I have not used a full can, or in my case it has not worked?
What is the pressure in the can? Am I missing something simple here?
Jeff
I bought a gauge from Advance Auto parts and some DOW r134.
My compressor is cyclying 13 seconds off and 4 seconds on. The pressure when on goes to about 24 and when off goes up to about 44.
When I connect the can to the gauge/trigger and try to charge the system, I do not hear anything flowing into the system, and the gauge pressures do not change. How long should it take to empty a 12oz can into the system? The can does get cold. Seems to not be charging.
Also, a stupid question, but here goes... when I screw the can onto the charger handle I bought at Advance, it pierces the can. So, how do I take it off without releasing r134 all over the place if I have not used a full can, or in my case it has not worked?
What is the pressure in the can? Am I missing something simple here?
Jeff
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From: Colorado, U.S.A!
Don't take the can off til it's empty.
Are you charging it with the engine running? You might need to pull the connector off the cycling switch and jump the connectors to keep the compressor running while you charge it.
Not sure about the pressures, hopefully someone more knowledgable than me will have something to add.
Are you charging it with the engine running? You might need to pull the connector off the cycling switch and jump the connectors to keep the compressor running while you charge it.
Not sure about the pressures, hopefully someone more knowledgable than me will have something to add.
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From: TX
Before you do anything, make sure you have the quick release end on the charge hose on the low side(blue cap) on the line that gets cold. after that, your gonna screw the can on the charge hose then turn the handle clockwise so that the needle will pierce the can and once you do that, turn the handle counter clockwise to bring up the needle so that the freon will release into the hose. Make sure you have the engine running on max cool high fan. Depending on your vehicle, it might take a while for the freon to enter into the system. Keep the can upright and from time to time shake it. You also want to keep a thermometer in your vent to check for temp. A temp of 40 degrees is about average 35 degrees is as low as ur gonna get without putting stress on the compressor. Once the can as emptied, disconnect the quick release on low side hose(the one that gets cold) and replace the cap. Check your temp with the thermometer and your all set..
Good luck and welcome to FTE
Good luck and welcome to FTE
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Thanks for teh replys guys.
1) I read here that the low and high ports have different connectors and low has blue or black cap... 96 explorer.. I am using the port with the black cap by the firewall on the passenger side. I do not see a blue cap anywhere else...
2) The device I bought from Advance Auto parts (only one with gauge separate from can, since I did not want oil+sealer) is a trigger type, where the can screws into teh base of the trigger... no way to release the pin. Squeeqing the trigger, I suppose, releases the pin.
3) Can you give me an idea of what a while is? Are we talking 1 minute, 10 minutes, half hour? Just trying to get a concept for how long this should take.
Engine is running while I charge it, AC on Max, fan high.
Does this all sound right? Anything else I am missing?
Thanks,
Jeff
1) I read here that the low and high ports have different connectors and low has blue or black cap... 96 explorer.. I am using the port with the black cap by the firewall on the passenger side. I do not see a blue cap anywhere else...
2) The device I bought from Advance Auto parts (only one with gauge separate from can, since I did not want oil+sealer) is a trigger type, where the can screws into teh base of the trigger... no way to release the pin. Squeeqing the trigger, I suppose, releases the pin.
3) Can you give me an idea of what a while is? Are we talking 1 minute, 10 minutes, half hour? Just trying to get a concept for how long this should take.
Engine is running while I charge it, AC on Max, fan high.
Does this all sound right? Anything else I am missing?
Thanks,
Jeff
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Update:
I was using pictures I found here in the forum as a guide to the low side connector. I wonder if this was correct.
The connector I was using is at the firewall on the passenger side and is on top of a canister, and has a black cap. There is another connector by the battery in the front driver's side, also with a black cap, and coming off a T in the refridgerant line coming from the compressor.
Anyone know which of these two is the low side for a 96 Explorer XLT 4cyl?
Jeff
I was using pictures I found here in the forum as a guide to the low side connector. I wonder if this was correct.
The connector I was using is at the firewall on the passenger side and is on top of a canister, and has a black cap. There is another connector by the battery in the front driver's side, also with a black cap, and coming off a T in the refridgerant line coming from the compressor.
Anyone know which of these two is the low side for a 96 Explorer XLT 4cyl?
Jeff
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From: TX
The low side will always be the smaller end and the charge hose that you have will only fit on the low side hose. Ohh and you said you have the clamp type for recharging? If thats the case, then all you do is clamp the can at the bottom cause you always want to charge freon as a liquid not a gas. The time frame I was refering to, usually all depends on how strong of a compressor you have, i usually rev the engine to about 2k for a couple of sec at a time to make it suck much faster.
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Thanks again for the reply.
OK. I have the right port then.
I have a trigger type filler...
http://www.id-usa.com/product.asp?CID=27&PID=45
Are you saying the can should be inverted while filling?
The small print in the diretcions (not the ones on the package, but only the ones buried in the shrink wrap) say to shake the can a lot before filling and frequently during filling. They say to keep it upright, but if upright, I assume the liguid is on the bottom, and I would be filling w/ gas?
I will try the engine revving, the shaking... would turning the can upside down work or should it stay upright?
Jeff
OK. I have the right port then.
I have a trigger type filler...
http://www.id-usa.com/product.asp?CID=27&PID=45
Are you saying the can should be inverted while filling?
The small print in the diretcions (not the ones on the package, but only the ones buried in the shrink wrap) say to shake the can a lot before filling and frequently during filling. They say to keep it upright, but if upright, I assume the liguid is on the bottom, and I would be filling w/ gas?
I will try the engine revving, the shaking... would turning the can upside down work or should it stay upright?
Jeff
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Unfortunately, the directions say nothing about revving the engine, waiting for the compressor to turn on, difference in pressures when compressor is on or off, can orientation, ways to get it to suck in teh refridgerant, etc.
I greatly appreciate everyone's help here... better directions than any can or gauge.
Jeff
I greatly appreciate everyone's help here... better directions than any can or gauge.
Jeff
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From: TX
disconnect the low pressure switch conector from the low pressure switch on the low side line and with a paper clip stretched out and str8end, bend the paper clip to form a "U" and insert the clip into the connector where each ends of the clip are inserted into the prongs, this will make the compressor kick on allowing the freon to circulate and enter into the system. The systems freon is too low which wont allow the compressor to kick on, thats why u need to bypass it by jumping the switch.....ohh and btw, dont worry, the switch will not shock you by inserting the clip into it.
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From: TX
ok saw ur post that i missed..sorry.........that recharger that you have is pretty "cool" never seen one like that. OK yeah just screw the can into the bottom of the trigger and squeeze. leave the can the way it is and just shake it from time to time... you can also while ur wati, with ur other hand, rev the engine at the throttle body to speed up the process. sorry for the miscommunication earlier.