Bought car used in Feb, A/C doesn't work. Opening the valve on the big metal A/C line on the passenger side of the engine bay reveals that there is barely any pressure inside it. When I put climate control on auto, the A/C clutch does not even engage, I'm assuming and hoping this is just because the pressure in the line is so low. Can I just go and buy a can of R134a and fill it up, or should I check/do anything else? Is it a simple procedure? Thanks in advance.

 

You can go buy a can and try filling it up, but if your compressor is not even engaging/going on, then that may be your problem.

 

Not shure if maximas have a short cycle switch which prevents the compressor from enguaging when there is little to no refrigerant left so it saves itself from burning up. Sounds like you need a full recharge and those little cans will not help at this point. You may even have a leak somewhere if you lost it all.

 

OK thanks. I'd like to avoid the stealership but that may not be possible.

 

I am sort of going through this whole thing at the same time too. If you only need a little tweak to the system and adding a can of refrigerant can do the trick you're OK. But usually you are better having the dealer do it. There must be the correct amount of lubricant in the system as well as the refrigerant. Too much or too little will cause big problems, like internal corrosion of the compressor. The dealer can purge the whole system and re-fill it with the proper amount of refrigerant and lubricant and will leak test it for you. Cost money, but probably the best option.

 

If you disconnect the connector right beside the battery close to the rad on the high side line and jump the wires it will start the compressor so you can pump in the refrigerant. The compressor will not run when pressure is down.

Mine charged fine with one can and has been running fine for over a week. I got the one with the leak sealer, lubricant and refrigerant together.

After its charged of course you remove the jumpers and reconnect.

 

Thanks for the advice, MAXHP and Jime! I think I will try it myself first after I take care of more important projects.

 

No prob, I might try doing mine myself first too. Good info from Jime on jumping the compressor, I will have to do that for sure. I need to replace the whole pipe that runs above the engine though, I'm scared to know what that's going to cost me...

 

Yeah, what MAXimumHP and Jime said.

I would strongly advise getting a pressure gauge as well to check the pressure readings when you do a recharge. Also when recharging, use the low side only and read the instructions properly as to whether the can needs to be upright or inverted.

 

but then again it sound like he has no refrigerant left in the system which the little bottles from pepboys wont work. Those little bottles are not even real r134a since you need a certificate to even buy refrigerant anyways.

 

Well, he said barely pressure ... if he's lucky, it isn't full of air.

Otherwise, he'll need a vacuum pump to pull the system in to a vacuum.