2002 Suburban A/C not working

2002 1500 4WD 126K miles. A/C not working, compressor does not engage when A/C is switched on. Is there an interlock if the refrigerent level is too low to keep the compressor from engaging? Original owner, A/C has never been recharged. Is recharging my best first step?

Thanks

yes,

if the system senses too low of a psi, it will not let the AC compressor run

check and add until there's a minimum psi reading...

i just used a can of 134a with a gauge and turned on the AC, then attached to the LOW port & slowly introduced the refrigerant until the pressure was in the green area... heard the ac compressor kicked on & all was good!

don't get a kit without a gauge like the following:

http://www.aa1car.com/library/ac_134a_recharge.jpg

get something like this:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/97-MISC-AC/images_large/Pic1.jpg

Is recharging my best first step?

Thanks

NO.

If the pressure is so low that the pressure switch is protecting your engine, then you've lost a lot of refrigerant. Which means you need to find a leak, and fix it.

I'd "jump" the low pressure switch first, just for a second or two, to see if the compressor clutch engages. If that doesn't do it, I'd jump 12 volt positive right to the compressor and see there.

AC work is for those with gauge sets and vacuum pumps. And leak detection capability. But only if you want it to work in the future.

NO SEALERS, NO CONDITIONERS. R134a and UV dye are OK.