Fixed my Air Conditioning Code 09
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Fixed my Air Conditioning Code 09
..and I reckon it would be useful to write my experience here, including some do's and don'ts!
1992 LT-1, Supercharged 383. Air con stopped working last November (I live in Atlanta, hence still using it in November!). Symptoms were hot air coming from the vents and flashing l.e.d. on the climate control panel.
I went on a cruise yesterday and nearly boiled (Atlanta, remember). Finally pulled the AC code - code 09 'low freon'.
My car was converted to R134a two years ago.
I bought two cans of R134a from NAPA, the cans also contain some oil and 'stop leak' stuff. I also bought a pressure guage - total price $42.
So I started the engine as per instructions, and read the pressure at the low pressure side... the schrader valve is mounted on the accumulator (silver thingy at the front of the engine that has condensation on it when the AC is running). However, the pressure should have been less than about 30psi but was in fact 125psi! Major panic #1
It seems the pressure had equalized in the system, so after asking on this forum (thanks guys!) I disconnected the battery which reset the code temporarily.. it also allowed the clutch to operate on the compressor.
When I restarted the engine and turned on the AC to max, the compressor started turning and the pressure at the schrader valve started falling (as the compressor evacuated the low pressure side).
I connected the first can of R134a, and started to fill up the system. I opened and closed the screw on the hose (the actual pressure on the low pressure side shows up when the screw at the can is closed off). The first can empty, the pressure was now 32psi (remember - the engine is still running, AC on. At this point the compressor was running constantly!)
I connected the second can, and used the screw again to let small amounts into the system. When it reached 40psi I decided to finish. I disconnected the half-empty can of R134a. Major panic #2 - of course it started to empty rapidly into the atmosphere. (I know - dumba$$). Luckily I was outside and also wearing gloves otherwise I would have iced my hand to the can.
Anyway, all is cool (forgive the pun) with my AC. It blows as cool as a winter day.. great!
Do's:
1. Connect the hose with pressure guage before starting the engine, otherwise you risk mangling your hands
2. Wear gloves
3. Keep the AC running on max (e.g. blower = 10, temp = 60)
Dont's:
1. Don't disconnect the R134a before the can is empty!
Hope this is interesting to someone!
Andy.
1992 LT-1, Supercharged 383. Air con stopped working last November (I live in Atlanta, hence still using it in November!). Symptoms were hot air coming from the vents and flashing l.e.d. on the climate control panel.
I went on a cruise yesterday and nearly boiled (Atlanta, remember). Finally pulled the AC code - code 09 'low freon'.
My car was converted to R134a two years ago.
I bought two cans of R134a from NAPA, the cans also contain some oil and 'stop leak' stuff. I also bought a pressure guage - total price $42.
So I started the engine as per instructions, and read the pressure at the low pressure side... the schrader valve is mounted on the accumulator (silver thingy at the front of the engine that has condensation on it when the AC is running). However, the pressure should have been less than about 30psi but was in fact 125psi! Major panic #1
It seems the pressure had equalized in the system, so after asking on this forum (thanks guys!) I disconnected the battery which reset the code temporarily.. it also allowed the clutch to operate on the compressor.
When I restarted the engine and turned on the AC to max, the compressor started turning and the pressure at the schrader valve started falling (as the compressor evacuated the low pressure side).
I connected the first can of R134a, and started to fill up the system. I opened and closed the screw on the hose (the actual pressure on the low pressure side shows up when the screw at the can is closed off). The first can empty, the pressure was now 32psi (remember - the engine is still running, AC on. At this point the compressor was running constantly!)
I connected the second can, and used the screw again to let small amounts into the system. When it reached 40psi I decided to finish. I disconnected the half-empty can of R134a. Major panic #2 - of course it started to empty rapidly into the atmosphere. (I know - dumba$$). Luckily I was outside and also wearing gloves otherwise I would have iced my hand to the can.
Anyway, all is cool (forgive the pun) with my AC. It blows as cool as a winter day.. great!
Do's:
1. Connect the hose with pressure guage before starting the engine, otherwise you risk mangling your hands
2. Wear gloves
3. Keep the AC running on max (e.g. blower = 10, temp = 60)
Dont's:
1. Don't disconnect the R134a before the can is empty!
Hope this is interesting to someone!
Andy.
