Help with RECHARGING AC system!!!!

roughyear · 05-26-2008, 04:04 PM

ok, i was finally able to purchase an adapter to put on the low side of the AC unti to attempt a recharge... my system is blowing warm air and is in need of a recharge.

so.. i plug in the adapter, then i turn on the car and then i plug in the R134a refrigerant and wow the tank is in the HIGH yellow range/reading, about 65PSI!!! so when i turn on the AC, the reading drops to about 50PSI, but the guage is still in the YELLOW range which is HIGH, according to the canister this means the system is already OVERCHARGED!!!

so what am i to do, should i bleed the system a little to get the reading down into the GREEN range, which means undercharged and fill it up, or should i just pull more of my hair out.

the last time the system was charged was about 3yrs ago, and the indy stated at the time that the system had dye in it already, probably from a previous leak/recharge attempt.

HELP!!!!

A8CT · 05-26-2008, 05:25 PM

I just read Paul's procedure. Did you remember to jump the switch?

Bob

roughyear · 05-26-2008, 08:41 PM

i purchased the adapter from Lenz Distributing $10 total shipped. ..... Stock No: FJC6016

http://store.lenzdist.com/product.php?xProd=187

paul's AC recharge link

tozoM8 · 05-26-2008, 09:03 PM

disconnect it and plug a U shaped wire in the plug to force the compressor to run. The system will not take the new freon if the compressor is not running.

roughyear · 05-27-2008, 05:25 AM

or is the reading on the guage correct regardless if the compressor is on or off??

as i stated above the reading on the canister guage stated about 65PSI with the AC in the ON position

i'll look for the switch today.. it's 85degs today, NOT a good day to be without AC!!

PaulW · 05-27-2008, 06:07 AM

On the later years, I believe the low pressure/high pressure switch are one in the same. You need to read the Bently about this and then use vag-com to read the pressures or conditions of the switches.

roughyear · 05-27-2008, 06:16 AM

i believe that's the correct locations.

i'll try the vag-com and see what readings i get. i only have the shareware ver. though, don't know if that's going to give me a complete detailing.

roughyear · 05-27-2008, 07:48 AM

here are two pictures ...

1) there's the big square plug that is wrapped to the low pressure tubing, but is connected to the black cylinder (i think that's the windshield wiper motor)

2) there's an ORANGE plug in the foreground and a PURPLE plug near the front of the firewall [** how do i upload this 2nd picture... http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/91663/audi_ac_4.jpg **]???

are any of these the low pressure switch???

PaulW · 05-27-2008, 08:22 AM

Obviously the 97 is different from the later years. There are notes on it in the Bently.

Those are just connectors, you will need to find the switch which will be in a port in the line. The high pressure side is the small line, the low pressure is the larger diameter line.

roughyear · 05-27-2008, 08:51 AM

i'm assuming that the low pressure side/input is on the driver side firewall region, and the high pressure side/input is in front near the radiator

now.. locating a switch is nowhere to be found.

unfortuantely, i don't have a Bently; i bought what i thought was a Bently manual on CD on ebay but it turned out to some crap for the old Audi 80/90 series, and a bunch of stuff for chevys, fords, chryslers, etc.. i got robbed and the guy disappeared with my $50bucks

05-26-2008, 04:04 PM	#1
roughyear Junior Member Account #: 91663 Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 747	Help with RECHARGING AC system!!!! ok, i was finally able to purchase an adapter to put on the low side of the AC unti to attempt a recharge... my system is blowing warm air and is in need of a recharge. so.. i plug in the adapter, then i turn on the car and then i plug in the R134a refrigerant and wow the tank is in the HIGH yellow range/reading, about 65PSI!!! so when i turn on the AC, the reading drops to about 50PSI, but the guage is still in the YELLOW range which is HIGH, according to the canister this means the system is already OVERCHARGED!!! so what am i to do, should i bleed the system a little to get the reading down into the GREEN range, which means undercharged and fill it up, or should i just pull more of my hair out. the last time the system was charged was about 3yrs ago, and the indy stated at the time that the system had dye in it already, probably from a previous leak/recharge attempt. HELP!!!! __________________ ------------------------------ 1999 A8 Pearl White "I am what I am......" ------------------------------

05-26-2008, 05:25 PM	#2
A8CT AudiWorld Super User Account #: 55607 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,992	I need to do that too.... can you tell me where/what adapter you got? I just read Paul's procedure. Did you remember to jump the switch? Bob __________________ 2000 A8, silver/blk, all options integrated phone and garage opener Nav Plus "D" Stock suspension 2000 A8 Blk/Blk, Nav, Xenons

05-26-2008, 08:41 PM	#3
roughyear Junior Member Account #: 91663 Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 747	mine doesn't have a switch, like the one paul has on his picture.. what's meant by "jumping"?? i purchased the adapter from Lenz Distributing $10 total shipped. ..... Stock No: FJC6016 http://store.lenzdist.com/product.php?xProd=187 paul's AC recharge link __________________ ------------------------------ 1999 A8 Pearl White "I am what I am......" ------------------------------

05-26-2008, 09:03 PM	#4
tozoM8 AudiWorld Super User Account #: 80919 Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6,174	You must have a low pressure switch. If it is not there, you need to find it, disconnect it and plug a U shaped wire in the plug to force the compressor to run. The system will not take the new freon if the compressor is not running. __________________ 02' S8 parting out after engine fire 01' S8 black on black 6 speed manual, RNS-E, Passport SRX 97' graphite pearl A8Q 6MT, S8 brakes-suspension, S8 Recaro seats, cold/warm package, fridge, SR1, Windows XP, custom navigation, heated steering wheel, carbon fiber trim, rearview camera 97' silver on black A8Q SR1 98' black on black A8Q (sold) 94' 100S Wagon (sold)

05-27-2008, 05:25 AM	#5
roughyear Junior Member Account #: 91663 Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 747	will the pressure on the guage DROP once the compressor is "jumpped"??? or is the reading on the guage correct regardless if the compressor is on or off?? as i stated above the reading on the canister guage stated about 65PSI with the AC in the ON position i'll look for the switch today.. it's 85degs today, NOT a good day to be without AC!! __________________ ------------------------------ 1999 A8 Pearl White "I am what I am......" ------------------------------

05-27-2008, 06:07 AM	#6
PaulW AudiWorld Super User Account #: 22012 Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 18,109	You need to vag-com it and determine what the pressures are On the later years, I believe the low pressure/high pressure switch are one in the same. You need to read the Bently about this and then use vag-com to read the pressures or conditions of the switches. __________________ _________________________________ Paul Waterloo 01 S8 Black on Black Lots of Electronic Mods D2 A8/A8L/S8 FAQ Digest

05-27-2008, 06:16 AM	#7
roughyear Junior Member Account #: 91663 Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 747	i have a '99 D2.. the high port is next to the radiator and the low is near the driverside firewall i believe that's the correct locations. i'll try the vag-com and see what readings i get. i only have the shareware ver. though, don't know if that's going to give me a complete detailing. __________________ ------------------------------ 1999 A8 Pearl White "I am what I am......" ------------------------------

05-27-2008, 07:48 AM	#8
roughyear Junior Member Account #: 91663 Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 747	ok.. which one of these is the low pressure switch?? here are two pictures ... 1) there's the big square plug that is wrapped to the low pressure tubing, but is connected to the black cylinder (i think that's the windshield wiper motor) 2) there's an ORANGE plug in the foreground and a PURPLE plug near the front of the firewall [ how do i upload this 2nd picture... http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/91663/audi_ac_4.jpg ]??? are any of these the low pressure switch??? __________________ ------------------------------ 1999 A8 Pearl White "I am what I am......" ------------------------------

05-27-2008, 08:22 AM	#9
PaulW AudiWorld Super User Account #: 22012 Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 18,109	The switch will be located in a freon line Obviously the 97 is different from the later years. There are notes on it in the Bently. Those are just connectors, you will need to find the switch which will be in a port in the line. The high pressure side is the small line, the low pressure is the larger diameter line. __________________ _________________________________ Paul Waterloo 01 S8 Black on Black Lots of Electronic Mods D2 A8/A8L/S8 FAQ Digest

05-27-2008, 08:51 AM	#10
roughyear Junior Member Account #: 91663 Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 747	i traced both lines and couldn't find a switch. i'm assuming that the low pressure side/input is on the driver side firewall region, and the high pressure side/input is in front near the radiator now.. locating a switch is nowhere to be found. unfortuantely, i don't have a Bently; i bought what i thought was a Bently manual on CD on ebay but it turned out to some crap for the old Audi 80/90 series, and a bunch of stuff for chevys, fords, chryslers, etc.. i got robbed and the guy disappeared with my $50bucks __________________ ------------------------------ 1999 A8 Pearl White "I am what I am......" ------------------------------

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