A/C system over-charge?
#1
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
A/C system over-charge?
Just a quick question. My '96 Cherokee's A/C was blowing just a little less than "cold" air so I picked up a can of 134 and a gauge tonight. As I was adding the refrigerant, the A/C started blowing very cold like it should but before I could turn the valve on the can off, it took too much and the gauge went into the red "warning" zone. Now when I turn on the A/C, the compressor comes on for about 1 second and then kicks off right away. I'm assuming this is a safety feature so I don't ruin the compressor. My question is, can I just depress the pin valve on the low side port and let some refrigerant out until the compressor kicks in and stays running? I know all the global warming/"climate change" folks will have a fit, but is this the easiest fix here?
#2
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If you have a vacuum pump try to evac the system a bit with a vacuum gauge. You can pick up a decent pump from Harbor freight for about 100 bucks. The lines and gauges you need you'll have to find your own I just found my gauge and lines in a box at my dads in the garage. I'm in no way certified In hvac so maybe someone else can shed some light on this.
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Thanks guys. I'm hoping I can let just enough out so that the compressor will continue to operate. I'll just let a little out at a time...connect the gauge...start it up and check the gauge. Might take a while this way, but I'm hoping I can get it back down to the correct level.
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Year: 1993
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Engine: 4.0, APN header & 2.5" exhaust
There's a specific amount of weight of refrigerant that's suppose to be in the system.. but that's besides the point. If you have no other options, just use a long screw driver to release some pressure.
Those gauges are just "general" pressure settings for a/c systems. I've had somebody show me on their recharge kit that it was in the "ok" range and I proved to them that after I evacuated the system, it was .5lb low of charge, making one side of the dual climate blow colder than the other.
Just a little fyi.. I know it can be pretty expensive to bring it to a shop to be professionally serviced.
Those gauges are just "general" pressure settings for a/c systems. I've had somebody show me on their recharge kit that it was in the "ok" range and I proved to them that after I evacuated the system, it was .5lb low of charge, making one side of the dual climate blow colder than the other.
Just a little fyi.. I know it can be pretty expensive to bring it to a shop to be professionally serviced.
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Year: 1996
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Thanks torque062. I'm realizing that the best way to go is to take it in anyway. My drier/accumulator has been making this loud howling noise for years at times anyway, so I think I'm going to replace that myself and since the system will be empty after doing that...it would be a good time to just take it to a professional and have it evacuated and charged correctly. A/C systems just don't seem to be something for the weekend mechanic.
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