Takes R-12 freon which is now considered a controlled substance. In order to buy it you have to be ASE A/C certified and have some other license that allows you to buy automotive chemicals.

Most places charge 40-60 bucks to do a system check/pressurized leak test and then charge by the pound (lb.) for freon. Haven't got a clue what that runs right now.

 

You can easily recharge it yourself if your sytem takes R134a.
The older R12 is hard to come by but just as easy to install. I think they changed around 1995

No special equipment needed, just a can of refrigerant and a hose which you can pick up at any wal-mart or autozone for about $10.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...EEFP%7C%7Etrue

The 2 types of refrigerant require different hoses/ fittings.
You can easily convert your R12 system to R143a with a kit also available at Autozone.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...EB88%7C%7Etrue


An easy way to guage how much to put in is run the a/c on high and fill the system while the engine is around 2500-3000 rpm, when the compressor quits cycling it is full.
Some hose kits come with a guage, depends how much you want to spend.


The switch you are talking about is a low pressure switch, it prevents the compressor from running if the refrigerant is low.

.

 

thanks for the reply. i just put more 134 in it and it runs for a while then it shuts off for kind of a long while until it kicks back on. could it be too full? i think i should take it in? any help would be great. thanks, mike

 

You'd be better off taking it to a specialist. An AC system gets filled according to how many pounds are in it. You also have to watch presures when filling the system to avoid over filling. The irregular compresor cycling is caused by too much or too little gas in the system. This do-it-yourself AC stuff sounds pretty half ***. Ac gas can freeze burn skin so you'd be safer to take it to a shop, not to mention the peace of mind knowing a job well done.