AC not blowing cold air - some questions

[guitarfish]

I have a 2002 Grand Prix 3.8 no SC, and the air conditioning no longer blows cold air. The car has 215K, is 9 years old, and has never had the AC serviced. I plan to trade the car in a year from now, so all I'm looking to do is buy a year if possible on the AC.

I connected a valve to what I believe is the low pressure valve, it is in the center of the car, at the firewall. It has a black cap. The only other valve I could find was near the air cleaner box, it also had a black cap, but it was too large to connect the gauge to it. So firstly, does it sound like the firewall is the right valve?

When I attached it, the meter read 65, which is the opposite of what I expected. The car was not running when I did this. I'm unsure what to do next. I was hoping I'd find a lower reading, eg in the 20s, and I could get away with adding a can of R134a.

I know taking it to a qualified tech will produce all the needed answers, but I really don't want to spend any more on this car if I can avoid it.

Any advice is appreciated!!

[brcidd]

65 sounds like your STATIC pressure - compressor is off, engine is off, correct? With engine running and a/c on - compressor should be engaged and you should see suction pressure of about 27-32 or so....this is when you add refrigerant..

[guitarfish]

Awesome, thanks so much !!