Can anyone tell me how to pump 1991 Maxima's a/c, I tried to help my aunt and i couldn't find the L.. pics or fsm would be helpful. thanks

 

er... come again?
what "L" were you talking about?
Are you trying to top it off? has it been r134 retrofitted? or do you have the equipment to fill r12?

 

If your talking about the low side service port, it is right above the compressor. Plus I'm not sure what you mean by "pump" the a/c system. Recover? Evacuate? Charge the system?

 

low side service port, if you look into other cars they all have L says on the cap.

I got nothing for both...


Sorry about the word that I chose so unprofessional
Yes, I am talking about the low side. We are tying to recharge, I bought some bottles(r134) from walmart. I was going to charge the system since a/c NOT cold at all so decide do it myself to save money....
you know how

 

Well first off you'll need a set of a/c gauges to determine pressures. Second, if there isn't any refrigerant in the system there is a leak somewhere and that MUST be fixed before anything else is done, otherwise you'll be throwing money away. If you have no understanding of the system don't work on it, One: not only is it illegal to work on a/c systems if you lack the EPA certification. Two: chances are you will spend more money trying to fix something you're not familiar with. So you should really take it to a shop who knows what they're doing.

All this with assuming your system has retrofitted, if not then there is even more that must done to do the job.

 

If you are trying to "recharge" your system you will not be able to unless, like Ben said, your car has been retrofitted to accept r134a.

Since your car is a '91 it has factory r12. R12 and r134a are not compatible so you can neither "recharge" nor can you "top off" your system unless it has been retrofitted.

 

You need certification to capture/release/recycle certain refrigerants but by no means is it illegal to "work on" a/c systems without certification.

 

From the certification test preparatory manual, the first sentence.

"Who Must Be Certified?

Any person that services motor vehicle air conditioning must be certified."

 

A direct link from the EPA's website.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/ht...1---h000-.html



(c) Servicing motor vehicle air conditioners Effective January 1, 1992, no person repairing or servicing motor vehicles for consideration may perform any service on a motor vehicle air conditioner involving the refrigerant for such air conditioner without properly using approved refrigerant recycling equipment and no such person may perform such service unless such person has been properly trained and certified. The requirements of the previous sentence shall not apply until January 1, 1993 in the case of a person repairing or servicing motor vehicles for consideration at an entity which performed service on fewer than 100 motor vehicle air conditioners during calendar year 1990 and if such person so certifies, pursuant to subsection (d)(2) of this section, to the Administrator by January 1, 1992.

 

I don't think the 91 maxima has ever been retrofitted...and everything is stock which mean r12 ...hahah I think I will just have my aunt to let shop does this for her

 

haha wow......

 

It looks to me like this is directly associated with the switch from r12 to r134a. Manufacturers were required to switch to r134a in automobiles starting in 1993. It references "motor vehicles for consideration". What vehicles are "for consideration"? Again, since this is from 1992, I'm guessing this is referring to the soon to be restricted pre-1993 vehicles with r12 systems. It's saying any person doing "such service" - "such service" being recapturing/recycling r12 - needs certification.

But I guess I could be wrong and it could technically be required to have a certification to work on an a/c system but...

I don't see how it can possibly illegal to "work on" an a/c system without certification - as there are many other aspects of an a/c system other than the refrigerant itself. You could "work on" an a/c system without touching or dealing with refrigerant.

So according to the EPA I need to be certified to change out my HVAC controls? I need to be certified to change a pressure switch? I need to be certified to change a compressor clutch? I need to be certified to change a compressor belt?

Plus, I guarantee you the vast majority of shops and "mechanics" who do A/C work are NOT certified anyway.

 

It is not referenced to the switch from r-12 to r-134a, this is simply when the government first enacted that technicians must have a certification to work on a/c systems. Although I agree with you that there are other aspects of the system besides just dealing with the refrigerant and that one doesn't need the certification to work on the controls or the compressor belt. The law states you need the certification to do ANY a/c repair, I believe that meant that as repairs involving the opening the system which could lead to the possible release of refrigerant. In your examples of the pressure switch, one would have to recover the refrigerant to do such a repair. A compressor clutch, sometimes, depending on the vehicle. A belt, no.
I guarantee that you go to any dealer or any shop that cares about what kind of quality work they do. The techs there will have their certifications, otherwise the shops are looking at some serious fines.