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Dash air not taking re-charge

Yahoo Message Number: 106632
My over-the-road dash air is not as cool as it should be. I purchased an Arctic Air gauge & hose set and several canisters of refrigerant. System is showing about 12-14 PSI. I think it should be at least about 30 PSI.

However, when I attached a new canister of refrigerant according to simple instructions and attempted to add refrigerant, it does not flow. Gauge pressure remains low even after about 30 minutes of agitating the canister. The clutch is engaging and seems to be rotating at the proper RPM.
I know that the system has not accepted any refrigerant as the canister weight is still the same as the additional canisters that I purchased.
How can I get the system to accept the refrigerant? What am I doing wrong? U Tube has been no help.

Re: Dash air not taking re-charge

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106633
Forgot to add my ID info

Daron Hairabedian, 98 Allure 30226

Re: Dash air not taking re-charge

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106634
Do you have any idea how your amateur playing around can kill you ? AL
5851

Re: Dash air not taking re-charge

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106641
Al,

I am taking into consideration that your rather abrupt response was well intended and only for my health and welfare. However, I have watched techs do this and I have performed this procedure several times on various vehicles in the past myself. I admit that I am an amateur; that is why I asked for advice. I was not playing around. I was deadly serious but, I did not realize that this process could be justplain deadly. Have the techs and I been in mortal danger each time? I respect your opinion because of your previous posts but, please give me a little more information. I am at a loss here! Daron Hairabedian, 98 Allure 30226

Re: Dash air not taking re-charge

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106642
It was meant to shock you by rethinking what your doing. Most techs are certified in the procedure. This is to prevent injury. High pressure and materials that can explode can just spoil your day. We know you were wearing safety glasses while doing your recharge just in case something exploded.

Just do us all a favor and find a shop that will top off your R-12 or R-134 or did some one change it over to something else. Usually marked if that happened.

Maybe the shredder valve never opened as the fitting was not able to engage it ? Lots of things to check.

AL

Re: Dash air not taking re-charge

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106644
Al,

Thanks for your quick response. Yes, on the safety goggles. I understand. I am very cautious. Yes, the factory used R-134a in 1998. I am dealing with the low pressure side only.
You raised a good point regarding the fitting perhaps not engaging the schrader valve pin. The Arctic Air fitting may be defective or maybe the schrader valve is bad as it has never been replaced (18 years old). I will return the gauge and connector-fitting assembly for replacement and try again. If that fails I will schedule an appointment have an A/C tech examine the system.
Daron

Re: Dash air not taking re-charge

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106651
Daron, Pick up a set of these if you want to attempt it.  A/C R134A Manifold Gauge Set                            A/C R134A Manifold Gauge Set  A/C Manifold Gauge Set              View on t.harborfreight.com          Preview by Yahoo              I used this gauge set to recharge my system. Here's a generic pressure chart.      http://i.stack.imgur.com/SBEAL.jpg                            http://i.stack.imgur.com/SBEAL.jpg              View on i.stack.imgur.com          Preview by Yahoo            Do your homework and it's not that difficult. Yes it can be dangerous, but any work on a motor home has its risks. Good luck. Bill 03 intrigue 11514

Re: Dash air not taking re-charge

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106669
Bill,

Thanks for the info. I will look at this set on my next visit to Harbor Freight. $60 seems like a very reasonable price.
Daron Hairabedian 98 Allure 30226

Re: Dash air not taking re-charge

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106672
I borrowed a set from AutoZone with no time limit. It was free and worked well.

Re: Dash air not taking re-charge

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106677
Dean,

That sounds like the best deal. I will check with my local AutoZone. Thanks for the advice.
Daron

Dash air not taking re-charge

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 106645
You are likely not on the suction side of the compressor .
Lee

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