A/C low refrigerant code
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Dubai
A/C low refrigerant code
So I have some issues with my A/C surprise surprise!
The A/C stopped working and came up with the code 09 low refrigerant. I had to remove the A/C lines anyway to fix a water leak so wasn't to bothered. After fixing the water leak I refitted the A/C lines and took it to have the gas refilled.
After refilling the gas it was still showing the code 09 low refrigerant and the compressor wasn't kicking in. I put power directly to the compressor and the clutch engaged however still no cold air. I disconnected the battery to see if the code would re-set itself however it didn't. I still get the code and no cold A/C??
Any Ideas? I live in Dubai which is literally the dessert so no A/C means no driving
The A/C stopped working and came up with the code 09 low refrigerant. I had to remove the A/C lines anyway to fix a water leak so wasn't to bothered. After fixing the water leak I refitted the A/C lines and took it to have the gas refilled.
After refilling the gas it was still showing the code 09 low refrigerant and the compressor wasn't kicking in. I put power directly to the compressor and the clutch engaged however still no cold air. I disconnected the battery to see if the code would re-set itself however it didn't. I still get the code and no cold A/C??
Any Ideas? I live in Dubai which is literally the dessert so no A/C means no driving
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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What year is this car? Does it matter? Maybe
Do you have the FSM for this car?
Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 7, 2016 at 05:42 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Dubai
Its a 1991. Well yes technically I could drive it without A/C but I would loose half my body weight in sweat and then pass out within 20 minutes.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,393
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A 12 or 134a conversion? The system was evacuated and charged properly with gauges or what?
Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 7, 2016 at 06:27 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Dubai
Do you have the FSM - Factory Service Manual? It would certainly help with the diagnostics that you'll likely need to do. I believe that there are maybe multiple codes that don't set the "CEL" but shut down the AC. That's why I asked year. Does the light "flash" on the AC control still? Did it ever or you just checked for codes?
A 12 or 134a conversion? The system was evacuated and charged properly with gauges or what?
A 12 or 134a conversion? The system was evacuated and charged properly with gauges or what?
The light on the AC control is flashing. The car has always miss fired when the HVAC system is on regardless of whether it is set to cool or heat which I was told was probably a vacuum leak but it has never affected the AC cooling before.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,393
Likes: 2,741
A challenging set of circumstances maybe. Let's look at the charging ports on the car and see what's there.
Which style fittings are on the car? That's not conclusive because the shop could have used adapters to force his BUT it's maybe going to be important I'd think. Pay no attention to the thread specifications on the R12 fittings, I used a very generic image to just get a representation of the two styles, R12 (male threads) and R134a (Quick-disconnect). If the car had been converted it would have been appropriate to have left the R134a fittings there for future service. If done in Dubai I've absolutely no idea of what you've maybe got.
Snapshots from you maybe? If the car was converted and then shipped to Dubai maybe a label under the hood on the AC components maybe.
Which style fittings are on the car? That's not conclusive because the shop could have used adapters to force his BUT it's maybe going to be important I'd think. Pay no attention to the thread specifications on the R12 fittings, I used a very generic image to just get a representation of the two styles, R12 (male threads) and R134a (Quick-disconnect). If the car had been converted it would have been appropriate to have left the R134a fittings there for future service. If done in Dubai I've absolutely no idea of what you've maybe got.
Snapshots from you maybe? If the car was converted and then shipped to Dubai maybe a label under the hood on the AC components maybe.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 7, 2016 at 07:28 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Dubai
A challenging set of circumstances maybe. Let's look at the charging ports on the car and see what's there.
Which style fittings are on the car? That's not conclusive because the shop could have used adapters to force his BUT it's maybe going to be important I'd think. Pay no attention to the thread specifications on the R12 fittings, I used a very generic image to just get a representation of the two styles, R12 (male threads) and R134a (Quick-disconnect). If the car had been converted it would have been appropriate to have left the R134a fittings there for future service. If done in Dubai I've absolutely no idea of what you've maybe got.
Snapshots from you maybe? If the car was converted and then shipped to Dubai maybe a label under the hood on the AC components maybe.
Attachment 47970361
Which style fittings are on the car? That's not conclusive because the shop could have used adapters to force his BUT it's maybe going to be important I'd think. Pay no attention to the thread specifications on the R12 fittings, I used a very generic image to just get a representation of the two styles, R12 (male threads) and R134a (Quick-disconnect). If the car had been converted it would have been appropriate to have left the R134a fittings there for future service. If done in Dubai I've absolutely no idea of what you've maybe got.
Snapshots from you maybe? If the car was converted and then shipped to Dubai maybe a label under the hood on the AC components maybe.
Attachment 47970361
It has the R12 screw threads. The car was obviously built in the U.S and then at some point made its way to Japan. I bought it from the importers who shipped it from Japan so I am the first owner in Dubai.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 772
Likes: 6
From: Huntsville AL
Did the recharge guy pull a vacuum on the system first?
If so, how long did he let it sit under vacuum to verify the vacuum held?
I did not know you could properly charge a system to the right pressures unless the compressor cut on during charging. But I may be wrong.
Do you know how much coolant he put in the system (did he use small cans or a large cylinder)?
If so, how long did he let it sit under vacuum to verify the vacuum held?
I did not know you could properly charge a system to the right pressures unless the compressor cut on during charging. But I may be wrong.
Do you know how much coolant he put in the system (did he use small cans or a large cylinder)?
Last edited by thomastl; Apr 7, 2016 at 08:33 AM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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OP - I'd say you've a challenge!!
If you want/need AC I doubt it would be inexpensive to do properly and to have a functional system. Was it ever a good performing system? How long ago? Had you ever had the system charged previously?
If you want/need AC I doubt it would be inexpensive to do properly and to have a functional system. Was it ever a good performing system? How long ago? Had you ever had the system charged previously?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
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Did you put new proper seals in it and a dryer? Some other parts need to be changed too along with flushing the system when being changed over. Start doing some research and get a $20 sniffer of ebay. I might be able to help with parts but not till January I will be there not much help right now but keep in mind.
Race Director
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Team Owner
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
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From: Cherokee National Forest TN
After the battery is disconnected the AC control will reset. After several minutes of run time if a code 09 reappears the system is low on Freon.
Home Freon no gauge check: Jump the blue wire to the compressor with 12V. After several minutes run time the large aluminum suction line that exits the evaporator housing should be cold & have condensate on it. If not the system is low on Freon.
Vacuum loss: If air discharges from the defrost vents only check the vacuum connection @ the drivers side rear of the intake manifold the plastic connector is prone to fail.
Good luck
Home Freon no gauge check: Jump the blue wire to the compressor with 12V. After several minutes run time the large aluminum suction line that exits the evaporator housing should be cold & have condensate on it. If not the system is low on Freon.
Vacuum loss: If air discharges from the defrost vents only check the vacuum connection @ the drivers side rear of the intake manifold the plastic connector is prone to fail.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Dubai
After the battery is disconnected the AC control will reset. After several minutes of run time if a code 09 reappears the system is low on Freon.
Home Freon no gauge check: Jump the blue wire to the compressor with 12V. After several minutes run time the large aluminum suction line that exits the evaporator housing should be cold & have condensate on it. If not the system is low on Freon.
Vacuum loss: If air discharges from the defrost vents only check the vacuum connection @ the drivers side rear of the intake manifold the plastic connector is prone to fail.
Good luck
Home Freon no gauge check: Jump the blue wire to the compressor with 12V. After several minutes run time the large aluminum suction line that exits the evaporator housing should be cold & have condensate on it. If not the system is low on Freon.
Vacuum loss: If air discharges from the defrost vents only check the vacuum connection @ the drivers side rear of the intake manifold the plastic connector is prone to fail.
Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,393
Likes: 2,741
OP - I believe I'd try to find a shop that can put a vacuum on the system to "prepare" it for a charge and have them do that. You didn't mention if it ever held a charge and performed well, how long ago and if you had ever had it charged previously. I think those are important. Answer those questions maybe.
I'd think that not knowing and having R12 system fittings you have to anticipate everything required for a R134a conversion and after a shop confirms that there's no "leak failure" then proceed and do the R134a conversion as required. Maybe other system failure but requires a look by someone that actually understands.
I'd think that not knowing and having R12 system fittings you have to anticipate everything required for a R134a conversion and after a shop confirms that there's no "leak failure" then proceed and do the R134a conversion as required. Maybe other system failure but requires a look by someone that actually understands.
Last edited by WVZR-1; Apr 7, 2016 at 11:21 AM.