Air Conditioner Charge too high?

So my AC isn't working and I buy a simple charging kit today to try to charge it up before I take it in and pay $$$$ to get it fixed. I plug in the gauge to the low side, as directed, and the pressure is off the chart, 100+. I figure that's really bad so I bleed it out until it's in the 55 range where it's supposed to be, but it still doesn't work, and the pressure is actually rising. I then empty it completely, and attempt to refill it with R134a. As soon as I start putting it in, the pressure jumps right back up to off the I barely put any refridgerant in the thing and it's over 100 again...

Anyone know how these things work and why mine is screwed? What am I likely looking having to replace?

Cheers...

Ben.

Ben,

Nice screen name btw!

Anyway, I just did a fill on my achieva and the guage was kinda acting wierd too. I figured it had something to do with the opening/closing of the line or can or something. I let it go, emptied the can, and then it seemed to give me a semi-normal reading on that guage.

The one thing to check on your is to verify the compressor is turning on if you hadn't already.

Mark

If yours is reading that high even after dumping the charge I would suspect a broken valve in the compressor, or you are connecting to the wrong line which I dont even think you can since the ports are different sizes. Should be connecting to the one with the large rubber line. Not the one thats all metal and much smaller.

I would suggest taking it to an automotive hvac shop and have them look at it.

Too darned hot in Texas to not have AC so I broke down and took it to a shop. They said it was a 'broken wire'. I'm not certain how that happens exactly, but I'm glad they found it, and I was in and out of there for only like $250... I was expecting much worse.