ac recharge question

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Aug 29, 2009 | 06:05 PM

craigl58

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From: pa

ac recharge question

I got some r-12 for my 92 f-150. I tried to charge it but it won't take any, my question is does the compressor have to be running to allow it to take a charge? Thanks Craig

Aug 29, 2009 | 06:30 PM

craigl58

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From: pa

I read just about every post on ac problems I just tried jumping the compressor on the plug on the low side and it won't take any charge I checked the plug on the front of the compressor and I have juice there so this means the switch on the low side is working , but the compressor won't kick in until I jump the low side plug.does anyone have any ideas? Thanks Craig

Aug 29, 2009 | 11:07 PM

redlightning93

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From: Mobile, Alabama

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigl58

the compressor won't kick in until I jump the low side plug.does anyone have any ideas? Thanks Craig

This is an indication that your system is completely out of refrigerant and I would suspect a leak somewhere. You did not indicate how long you have owned the truck and if the a/c was ever working before. Are you using a set of a/c manifold guages with dual guages to read low and high pressures or one of the single "death kit" type that will only read low pressure? If you do not have a set of manifold guages, I would rent some from Autozone or other big box auto parts giants and start by measuring "static pressures". That would be to connect the hoses to high and low ports and with compressor off you should see static pressures on both sides equal to or greater than the ambient temps. If you have no static pressures you probably have a leak and that needs to be addressed before an attempt to recharge your system. I recommend you read this post about recharging a/c systems:

http://www.autoacforum.com/messagevi...&threadid=7931

There is a lot of valuable info regarding automotive a/c on that site. These guys are very helpful and will guide you thru most any problem you may run into. Good luck and I hope this will help some.

Aug 30, 2009 | 12:17 AM

Country705

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From: Campton

Are you absoloutely postive you have R12 because its not something you can just walk into advance or autozone or walmart and buy. R12 has to be replaced by a professional due to strong federal regulations and the EPA. However if you have R134a now that would explain some things?

Aug 30, 2009 | 12:33 AM

bill11012

Modular motor junkie

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 6,190

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From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigl58

I got some r-12 for my 92 f-150. I tried to charge it but it won't take any, my question is does the compressor have to be running to allow it to take a charge? Thanks Craig

I can walk you through it, i have done it many times.
You need a vacuum pump and manifold gauges to do it.
And you are going to want to go to R134a.
It is not hard, but it must be done right.
Does the commpressor turn on?

Aug 30, 2009 | 06:37 AM

craigl58

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From: pa

Ok I got the truck this past April, the ac worked fine up until 2 weeks ago. The guy I purchased it from is a mechanic, he used to give it a little shot of r-12 every year or 2,( and yes it is r-12) I"m taking it over to his shop on Tuesday. I just could not figure out why it wouldn't take any into the system. Thanks Craig