I have a 1996 Jeep orvis edition that the Ac does not work. I bought a Ac recharge and hooked it to the low pressure side and noticed that when the compressor would kick on (for a 3 seconds) the pressures would drop very low and why it was not on the pressures would be in the red. I have read other forms that said if the compressor would kicking on and off really quickly it could be a low Freon issue. I attached the bottle and quickly detached it as the bottle was expanding with the pressures and I am concerned that the bottle would blow up. Can any one tell me if this sounds like a Freon issue or if I need to have the compressor replaced?

 

If the system is low on refrigerant it means you have a leak someplace. You don't have to worry too much about the can blowing up on the low pressure side of the system, you can go ahead and try to charge up the system. Don't be surprised if the A/C still does not work though. When there is a leak in the system air can get in, air in the system is not good for the efficiency of the system and can cause problems. The proper way to fix the A/C would be to evacuate all of the refrigerant out, repair the leak, vacuum the system down to a negative pressure to boil out any moisture that may be present, make sure the vacuum holds for a while, then charge the system with the proper amount of refrigerant.

 

I thought you charge the system with the motor/vehicle off?

Max

 

The way I understand it is the compressor turns the gas to a liquid, therefore taking up less space. The system is full when the low side reaches it's rated pressure while running. You can recharge it with a dye in it to locate the leak, evacuate it, repair the leak, then recharge it again. If you don't see the dye, it's the evaporator inside the dash and we all know what that takes to fix.