Conditioning

The basic recharging procedure goes as follows:
1. Identify the low side service fitting.
2. Determine the type of refrigerant required by the system. On most 1993 and older vehicles, this would be R12. On most 1994 and newer vehicles, it would be R134a.
CAUTION: R12 and R134a refrigerants are incompatible and must not be intermixed. Use the type of refrigerant required for your A/C systemonly. On most 1993 and newer vehicles, there’s an identification decal or sticker that tells what kind of refrigerant is required. Also, the size and design of R134a and R12 service fittings are different to avoid cross-contamination.
3. Connect a can of refrigerant to a gauge set or recharging hose and valve set. Follow the equipment supplier’s directions for making the connections.
4. Openthe valve momentarily on the gauge set or hose to blow all air out of the line (this is necessary to keep from introducing air and moisture into your A/C system).
5. Connect the gauge set or hose to the low side A/C service fitting on the vehicle. This is usually located near the receiver/drier or accumulator, or suction side of the compressor.
6. CAUTION: Make sure the can of refrigerant isheld in the upright position so only vapor enters the line. Do not tip the can sideways or upside down as doing so will allow liquid to enter the low pressure side of the A/C system (This may cause damage to the A/C compressor). Also, never heat the can to make it empty faster as doing so may cause the can to explode.
7. Start the engine and turn the A/C system on high. The compressor should beengaged or cycling on and off (it may be necessary to jump the compressor clutch directly to the battery if the system is extremely low on refrigerant to keep it engaged). Compressor suction will pull refrigerant vapor into the system and slowly empty the can. This can take up to 10 minutes or more, so don’t be anxious.
8. When the can is empty, disconnect the charging hose from the servicefitting. Use care when disconnecting the "empty" can from the gauge set or charging hose as it may contain some residual refrigerant.
9. Add additional cans of refrigerant as needed until the system is properly charged.
CAUTION: The most common

RECHARGE PROCEDURE
1. Connect the recharge service hose and valve to a can of refrigerant.2. Turn the valve on the service hose to puncture the top ofthe can.3. SLOWLY turn the valve back out to release a small amount of refrigerant into the hose. This will blow air out of the hose (which you do not want in your A/C system). 4. Close the valve so no more refrigerant escapes, then quickly connect the other end of the service hose to the LOW pressure service fitting on the A/C system.CAUTION: DO NOT connect a can of refrigerant to the HIGH sideservice fitting. The operating pressure inside the A/C system when it is running may exceed the burst strength of the can, causing the can to explode! This should be impossible to do because the service hose for recharging the A/C system will only fit the smaller LOW pressure service fitting. Even so, you should be aware of the danger.5. Hold the can UPRIGHT so no refrigerant liquid enters theservice hose. You only want VAPOR to be pulled into the A/C system (the compressor may be damaged if it sucks in a big dose of liquid!).6. OPTIONAL BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: You should use a gauge to monitor the recharging process. Though not absolutely necessary, a gauge will help you recharge your A/C system more accurately, and reduce the chance of undercharging or overcharging (either of which willreduce cooling performance).A high pressure A/C gauge can be connected to the HIGH pressure service fitting, or a low pressure A/C gauge to the LOW pressure service fitting, or gauges can be attached to both fittings (that is what professional technicians do).NOTE: Some DIY recharging kits include a low pressure gauge on the service hose or on a trigger-grip style can dispenser... 7. Start the...