I need to have my AC recharged, it is not blowing cold anymore. Has anyone tried the self charge kits that you can buy? Any luck? Any problems? Let me know quick! Any suggestions?

 

I did it on my 95 about a month ago.

Provided your A/C system works, there is no major leak (I say major because with time, you are bound to lose refrigerant - through your compressor, fittings, etc) & MOST importantly, your system is still pressurized.

What I mean by still pressurized is that the A/C system has refrigerant so the pressure is greater than the atmosphere so you won't have air in the system.

I did two things:

1) I got a separate low-side gauge
2) I got a can of refrigerant (not the pierce-type) which looks pretty much like a spray can, has a button on the top and comes with the low-side hose already attached. I chose this because it was easier and I could keep the remaining refrigerant for a future recharge. It's your choice though.

You hook up the gauge to the low-side, run the vehicle with A/C set at maximum for a few minutes. If the A/C compressor keeps shutting off, you will need to either do it when it's hotter OR jumper the switch on your condenser (Haynes manual tells you where and which pins).

If you are low on refrigerant, the gauge should indicate that. I basically alternated between the can for 1 minute to the gauge & back and forth until the gauge readout was within acceptable limits. If the compressor is on and it's not taking refrigerant (can will get cold if it is), then you have a problem .. STOP & take it to the shop & pay $$$

A/C blows cold now ... happy

 

Hmm, I can't tell if my compressor cycles on or not. The manual says that it is an automatic compressor and that it runs all the time. I cant tell if comes on! Help!

 

You'll hear a click, and your RPM should shift slightly. Fans will come on. Make sure you're not missing a belt.

 

Oh, push the A/C switch on & off, if your engine is cool, fans should go on & off.

 

I want to do this but I'm up in Canada and cannot find any of these kits. Anyone else up here know whether it's legal to buy R134a without certification? Otherwise a quick round trip to Buffalo might be in order

 

It's legal to buy R134a anywhere. Its R12 that you have to worry about.

 

You can charge the thing up yourself using the kit. I assume you have the 134 system since you are on this board. You'll need about two cans of the refrigerant and the hose. Follow the directions and don't get too worked up about the warnings, i.e., high pressure side vs. low pressure side. The fittings will not connect on the high side!