geterdun
+1y
From what you have written the system has some charge in it already?
Agreed, put gauges on it. Attach the gauges hoses to the compressor fittings and, with the gauges closed, loosen the hoses slightly at the gauges for a few seconds. Tighten the hoses, open the high side gauge (this will blow Freon out the can attachment hose. flushing air out of lines), close the high side port. Attach a can of oil charge, invert it, open the high side (small line going to the condenser in front of the radiator). No worry, if any excess oil, it will accumulate in the big odd thing on the passenger fender well before the a/c line goes in the firewall..
Start the engine, set the engine at a fast idle (1500 r.p.m. in some way) turn on the a/c and temp down. and see if it will engage with the pressure sensor switch hooked up, if so check pressures of gauges. If the low side drops below zero, open the low side port, BUT WITH THE OIL CHARGE CAN NOT INVERTED. If the low side still drops below zero, close the low side port, replace the can of oil with a can of Freon (NOT INVERTED) and open the port charge on the low side ( the large pipe port).. As the temperture of the can drops, from the evaporation of the freon, you may have to put the can into a pan of hot water, to raise the pressure in the can.
In the event the compressor does not start when you engage the a/c, then you will need to bypass the pressure switch below and in front of the battery to charge. Reconnect this as soon as possible, costly later if you forget to, trust me.
Normal way to tell the charge is right, when low side is staying above zero with the low port open and Freon can not empty, Wrap your hand around the (low pressure side) big line coming to the back of the compressor. When you feel a cold surge through the line, close the low side port, disconnect gauges, replace port caps, enjoy the snow on a humid day.
Hey if I missed something here, please jump in and inform me/us, I have been away from auto repair as an income for decades.