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AC problems

And you cant do that until you check the system to see if its low/empty and thats why its not working. Go borrow a gauge set from autozone and see what the low side says before taking it to a shop and actually paying something.
 
check the low side?? ive only read about checking the high side. whats the pressure suppose to be for the low side?

you should be checking both sides. if the system is empty or low the reading will be low. if the system is full the low side pressure will be very high when the system isn't running.
 
you should be checking both sides. if the system is empty or low the reading will be low. if the system is full the low side pressure will be very high when the system isn't running.

Exactly. The low side reading will tell you if you have an electrical problem or if you're simply low/out of refrigerant.
 
If the compressor isn't running, both sides will read the same pressure.

The cheapie gauges will only connect to the low side anyway.
 
Or you could try some low cost troubleshooting

Or you could try some low cost troubleshooting

If it is low pressure disabling the ac compressor clutch, you will need to look at the wiring diagram, find the low pressure switch, and bypass it with a wire. This assumes that the low pressure switch is normally open and closes with adequate pressure and is not an input to the car's computer. If your clutch works you know that either your switch is bad or your freon pressure is low. A piece of wire is one heck of alot cheaper than a set of gages you may not need.

If it is low pressure, it is a good idea to take it to a good tech who will determine the best course of action. Likely a leak check is in order.
 
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