How to recharge the A/C in a 96 Camry

[Retrospekt]

The A/C in my Camry is out. I can't hear the compressor running so I'm assuming the R134a levels are too low for it to even switch on. I bought R134a refrigerant and a pressure gauge, but I'm not sure what to do from here.

My dad's done this before but never on a Toyota. Where is the low pressure gauge? Which gauge do you fill in to?

Some quick step by step instructions would be great.

Thanks

[Stillrunning]

Originally Posted by Retrospekt

I'm assuming the R134a levels are too low for it to even switch on.

Why would you think that's the right assumption? If you over fill you'll risk blowing seals. With the amount of knowledge you're showing I'd take it to a shop OR buy a Haynes Cooling/AC manual and take some time to learn the basics.

[Retrospekt]

Originally Posted by Stillrunning

Why would you think that's the right assumption? If you over fill you'll risk blowing seals. With the amount of knowledge you're showing I'd take it to a shop OR buy a Haynes Cooling/AC manual and take some time to learn the basics.

The gauge on the R134a bottle will show me whether I'm in normal range or overfilling...right?

[davemac2]

Originally Posted by Retrospekt

The gauge on the R134a bottle will show me whether I'm in normal range or overfilling...right?

Not really. R134-A charges are much smaller than the older R12's and you can't really top up a system using the gauge. You need to diagnose why your system is dead and read both the high and low side pressures with a proper gauge set. You probably have a leak somewhere. To recharge, the system needs to be evacuated and r134-A added using a scale or known quantites by weight (ie. per can).

dave mc

[skuttduck]

Originally Posted by Retrospekt

The A/C in my Camry is out. I can't hear the compressor running so I'm assuming the R134a levels are too low for it to even switch on. I bought R134a refrigerant and a pressure gauge, but I'm not sure what to do from here.

My dad's done this before but never on a Toyota. Where is the low pressure gauge? Which gauge do you fill in to?

Some quick step by step instructions would be great.

Thanks

The low side is right on the passengers side up near the firewall. You could put one small can in, and see if that works.