Dumb question about A/C recharge

[Guest CL_Reatta]

Ok, my A/C has never worked since I bought the car so I figure its time to do somthing about. When I try to cool it down in the car the compressor doesn't even turn on a common sign of low refrigerant, and when the check A/C light came on I ran diagnostics and came up with b448 which is low refrigerant pressure. OK anyways Ive got some cans of R12 laying around and my question is how and where do I put it in. This may sound like asking what is 1+1 (not 11)to some of you but I don't know much about A/C's

[TRog]

Reattas have a fitting on the accumulator where the R12 goes into which would be the suction side of the compressor. You would want to fill the system, gauges hooked up correctly, engine running, AC on with fan blower on high and do it with a liquid charge (can upside down). The fill requirement is located under the hood on an aluminum sticker. I have heard of folks who do not know what they are doing getting hurt by hooking up the wrong lines to the wrong fittings. Most of the guess work has been eliminated, however, if you have hoses that have been altered, trouble begins there if you have a limited knowledge of the system and how it works. With that said, as expensive as R12 is and the fact that the EPA could come down on you very hard if they caught wind of a do-it-your-selfer filling his/her own system...I would gather my cans up and go to a qualified professional to fix your AC system. It has a leak and it will continue to leak freon until the system is sealed. Disclaimer: The above is for reading enjoyment only and is not to be construed as the exact operation to filling a Reatta AC system. If in doubt, let a qualified tech do the work. You'll be much happier and so will the EPA.

[Guest CL_Reatta]

Alright, I was hoping to be able to do it myself instead of waiting until December but now I will wait to have it done by a professional. Thanks

[89REATTAJIM]

Just as a test, try this: have had it work on 4 different Reattas. Just disconnect the Neg battery terminal for 2 - 3 minutes, reconnect & try A/C again. You will have to reset your radio, clock time & trip odometer. Really nothing to lose by trying. Let us know results. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Barney Eaton]

If you are planning on doing your own Reatta work, I suggest you purchase a service manual (there is one online at www.reatta.net)

Used manuals are available on Ebay. The big advantage of the manual is being able to diagnose a problem before deciding to DIY or having the work done.

[Guest CL_Reatta]

I already tried removing the negative battery cable, but no difference, as for the service manual it is on my list of important things to get but I want to spend my money on the stupid stuff thats wrong just to get it running right, then I'll get a service manual to repair the intailed things. Thanks

[Guest MauiWowee]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> as for the service manual it is on my list of important things to get but I want to spend my money on the stupid stuff thats wrong just to get it running right</div></div>

Yes, but consider this: With a manual you will be able to diagnose your car's problems. Reattas are semi-complicated cars, and having a manual will actually save you time and money. Even the best of mechanics use one.

So, download the free one. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest jcc3inc]

Sir,

On my '91, the compressor relay is just in front of the air cleaner box under the cover with a wing screw on the driver's side, and the compressor relay is shown on the box cover. If you jumper pin 5 to 1 or pin 4 to 1 the compressor clutch will engage.

If your freon is too low, removing the ground cable will not allow the compressor to start after re-connection as the low pressure switch will remain open preventing the relay from operating.

The freon is entered at the accumulator which is an aluminum cylinder with rounded top and bottom, having two large pipes attached to it and another smaller capped fitting. It is located on the passemger side toward the front of the engine compartment. Remove the cap to administer the freon.

Regards,

Jack C.

[Guest CL_Reatta]

OK, got the A/C working except now im down to 1 can of r12 left, does anyone know about the freeze12 stuff, I have the r12 can adapter will that work with the freeze12, and if not what will I need? thanks

[Reatta45]

Freeze12 is good stuff... Don't Mix refrigerants. KennyV.

[Guest spongebob]

someone is going to get hurt.....

[Reatta45]

I think you may be right. KennyV.

[Reatta45]

Air Conditioning/Refrigeration is not a trial and error type of thing. It can get very costly in body & property damage.

Never mix different things in a system and don?t add anything if you can not monitor low side and high side pressures. KennyV.

[Guest CL_Reatta]

Ya, lol I know not to mix them, I was just talking about for future reference, so that if or when my 14 ounces of R12 runs out instead of converting the system to r134a, just use the other stuff instead.

[Guest Albert]

I have used the r12/134a subititues in a few of my friends cars as well as at a garage. you can also get one with a dye in it or a system sealer (will not work with a bad front seal on the compressor) it does have better cooling properties than the 134a and if yout system is r12 you dont have the big $$ to change the seals and the oil, and is compatible with both types of oils. I had to charge up my 92 Bonniville last week with R12, i found out that when the system cycles too many times due to low refrigerent, the engine computer locks out the AC, so youhave to reset the computer before you can charge the system.

[Reatta45]

I?m glad to hear you are not mixing <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> ?

I am right there with you, when I need to switch from R12, I will go with Freeze12? Charge is somewhat different than R12 but that stuff sure works good. I also still have a full can of R12 so it should be a long time before I switch my Reatta.KennyV.

[Guest spongebob]

r12 is still available and is much better for our systems..( i heared a rumor that the russians are gona start making r12).

[Guest Albert]

If your looking for r12, start recovering the r12 out of the refrigetors.. they throw them out every day.. worth more for there r12 than the scrap value..

[Guest CL_Reatta]

Refrigerators I can get easy (My friend Brannon across the street collects junk to sell to the scrap yard) but how would I pressurize it to get it into the system? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

[Guest F14CRAZY]

With an R12 pressure-izer

[Guest Albert]

All you need a recovery system to get the freon out.. Use a tap a line you can break into the system. a recovery system is really nothing more than half of an ac system, If you where to take a working compressor from a fridge, use the suction side of the compressor to connect to the old fridge, the discharge side run through the condensor to cool it back down and then into a bottle for storage, it also help if you place the bottle in a bucket of ice water.. just do not over fill the bottle, must have room for expansion, if you place the bucket in ice water you can watch it sink as it fills, the ice also drops the pressure and helps to condense the freon.

[Guest CL_Reatta]

Alright, thanks next time I see an old fridge sitting in Brannon's trailer I'll ask to see it for a few minutes <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />