stokes Posted May 12, 2005 Report Share Posted May 12, 2005 My DIC displayed the "Very Low Refrigerant" "Compressor off" message.Also had a couple of other AC related history codes.So I decided to try to add some freon just to see if that was all it needed before going through the whole vaccuum and refill service.After clearing the codes I got the compressor to turn on and was only able to add about a half a can of 134A.It seems to be okay now.My question is this,would the system display these messages and cause the compressor to not run if it was only a half can low?How much freon would it take if I was to evacuate the system and refill?My service manual only has directions for the R12 service and my system has apparently been changed since the fitting is the 134 type although the label on the car says R12.I have access to the vaccuum pump and gauges to do the complete service and will do so if this doesnt last,so far it seems to be okay-blows cool and no error codes.Should I try to add the rest of the freon and just leave it connected longer.I had it filling for about 10minutes,should it take longer?Thanks for any help you guys can give me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Once the low refrigerant code sets, the compressor is disabled and the system won't take any refrigerant. You need to disconnect the negative battery cable for 30 seconds or so - that will clear the low refrigerant code. Reconnect the battery cable, hook up the R-134a, and burp the air from the charging hose. Now start the engine and select AUTO and the system will pull in the R-134a before the low refrigerant code sets. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stokes Posted May 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Kevin-I have already cleared the codes and got it to take about a half a can,just seems to me it should take more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 I am not positive but I thing the system holds 3 cans (maybe 4). I am sure that it will go well below 1/2 can low before setting any codes. I just added 2 cans and never had a message or DTC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stokes Posted May 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 How long did it take for one full can to feed into the system?I had the can hooked up for about 10 mins.Should the can be inverted?The directions on the hose directions say to keep the can upright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Yes, the can should be inverted (liquid charge). Upright is gas charge and will take forever. Liquid took me about 15-20 seconds per can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 You can charge as a gas (right side up) or liquid (upside down). Charging as a liquid will go much faster. The liquid vaporizes immediately upon entering the accumulator but it is still a good idea to open the valve slowly and allow a little refrigerant to enter at a time. Did you have the refrigerant hooked up when you cleared the code? Was the can fully pierced by the charging hose? Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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