stefank Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Friends, perhaps I've praised the Seville too much lateley... today when when I switched on the AC on I got the low refrigerant message and the corresponding code. I'm not too surprised, according to the records and looking at the components the system has never been touched. Additionally, the AC felt not so powerful last summer anyway. Otherwise there have been no problems til today, no codes, compressor quiet. Would you recharge only (add some leak detecting stuff) or do some maintenance while the system is empty anyway? Perhaps it would be a good idea to change the accumulator/dryer after ten years? I hope that the evap is not leaking, I replaced it on my '92 Eldo and it was not much fun to do. Please don't forget that parts for the Cadillac are twice as much here than stateside (shipping/import taxes etc). Thanks for any input! Stefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Freon molecules are very very small and will leak over the years. It is not uncommon to have to add a lb or two after 10 years. I'd just add a 12 or 16 oz can of R134a without any addatives (sealant). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeal1892 Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 I agree sounds like it needs some added to it ! It doesnt last forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefank Posted April 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Ranger, you can't buy cans of freon over here. I'll bring the car to a friend who has a workshop with a/c charging equipment. He will evacuate the system and charge it. I won't use any sealer, but some leak detecting stuff, the kind of fluid you can trace with an UV-light. In case there's a leak, that may make finding it easier. My question was; with the system being empty right now, should I do some maintenance, like replacing the accumulator/drier? I called my aftermarket supplier for US parts, the drier (manufacturer four seasons) is 120 EUR plus tax, that's about 150 USD. Didn't call the dealer for a price quote, but may do so tomorrow. Recommendations, anyone? Stefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 If the low refrigerant message just appeared, there is still refrigerant in the system - it shouldn't be empty and a top off charge is all that would be required. You can still add the UV dye at that time as well. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bueno Posted April 5, 2006 Report Share Posted April 5, 2006 Before you do anything further, check the integrity of the connections to the sensors along the AC lines under the hood. Sometimes that's all it is. If that doesn't help, you'll need a recharge as noted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefank Posted April 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 Thanks all. I've checked the sensor connections, they seem to be fine. So I will have it recharged and put some dye in. Thanks again Stefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefank Posted April 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2006 All, I had the system recharged today. There were 0,3 kgs left in the system, with 0,9 kgs being the nominal capacity. So it was pretty empty. After recharging, the compressor did not engage until I cleared the code. Now it blows cold air again as it should. Thanks again for your suggestions, Stefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sesenter Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Ok Just picked up a 96 eldorado. a\c not working low refrigerent message. force of habit I installed a new battery. ac compressor cycled on and off and then low refrig.message again. checked with refrig. gages read around 60 psi. do you think it is just switch in the tubing. what should i do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnydone Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 just add refridgerant one can should do it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Ok Just picked up a 96 eldorado. a\c not working low refrigerent message. force of habit I installed a new battery. ac compressor cycled on and off and then low refrig.message again. checked with refrig. gages read around 60 psi. do you think it is just switch in the tubing. what should i do 60 psi on the low side or the high side? I agree with Johnnydone. Needing a top off in 10 years is not uncommon at all. If it leaks down again, then you have a leak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Well, first off, I think you might have started a new topic. Just a thought. That aside, you will *never* be able to add new refrigerant to the system as long as you are getting the "Low Refrigerant" message. The compressor simply won't be allowed to run and your system won't be able to "inhale" the additional charge necessary. First, clear the "Low Refrigerant" message. Use the dash controls or disconnect the battery for a few minutes. Have your refrigerant equipment hooked up when you start the engine. You'll have only a short time to ingest the necessary charge before the system detects a low charge situation again and shuts the compressor off once more . . . . Regards, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Fenwick Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Aloha, with the system low like that, I would be sure that I added some lubricant also! Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrenJ Posted May 1, 2006 Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Aloha, with the system low like that, I would be sure that I added some lubricant also! Ed Ed, But we don't know how low the charge is. In another thread I recounted how surprised I was when baby appeared to take so little to get the A/C going. I was actually so "anal" as to take the can back to the parts store and compare its weight to an unused can. Could hardly tell the difference! From my experience I don't think the "Low Refrigerant" message necessarily means you're a pound low. Just a thought. DAMM, I wish I could put "Aloha" on my messages! Regards, Warren There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sesenter Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 THANKS FOR ALL YOU HELP. TODAY 5-1-06 OIL CHANGE AND FILTER, NEW BELT, HAD TO REMOVE BATTERY TO DO THE BELT. AND QUESS WHAT... NEW BATTERY IS LEAKING, SO GOT NEW BATT. I HAD R134 W/OIL READY TO GO . STARTED CAR AND EMPTYED AC REFRIG. INTO SYSTEM AC IS NOW WORKING AND COLD > I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED IF THE CHARE HOLDS THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zonie77 Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 I think your 60 lb reading was with compressor off. Just for curiosity check what pressure the system has now without the AC running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsequeira0601 Posted July 14, 2011 Report Share Posted July 14, 2011 Well, first off, I think you might have started a new topic. Just a thought. <img src="http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" /> That aside, you will *never* be able to add new refrigerant to the system as long as you are getting the "Low Refrigerant" message. The compressor simply won't be allowed to run and your system won't be able to "inhale" the additional charge necessary. First, clear the "Low Refrigerant" message. Use the dash controls or disconnect the battery for a few minutes. Have your refrigerant equipment hooked up when you start the engine. You'll have only a short time to ingest the necessary charge before the system detects a low charge situation again and shuts the compressor off once more . . . . Regards, Warren You are 100% right,i clear the message and the compressor kick in and them i add refrigerant,thank you for the info.Email me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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