96 Windstar 3.8 Air Conditioning Charge

[tebo77]

I want to recharge my a/c. I bought the kit and found I need an adaptor to fit the Ford setup. Also I am not sure which line is the low pressure, since Chilton's does not cover a/c. Does anyone know which side I am to check pressure and add the refrigerant? Thanks!

[perrytime]

I have a 96, and if you purchased an R134a recharge kit there is no adapter needed, the fittings are different between low and hi side, so the fitting on the recharge kit will only fit the low side. something doesn't add up with what your seeing.

[tomj76]

I think the charge is 48 oz if you have rear a/c.

The low pressure and the high pressure ports are different sizes, so there is not chance of putting the can on the wrong port. That said, the low pressure port is on the side of the accumlator/dryer, which is a large black cylinder. The high pressure port is on the end of a metal tube.

When you add the A/C charge, you'll first add as much as possible without the engine running. Then start the engine, and turn on the A/C with the fans on high. The compression should turn. If it doesn't there's probably another problem, and you can't add the charge. The cooling fans should also engage, if they don't you have another problem, possibly the dropping resistor, and won't be able to add the charge.

Also, if the system was open, it needs to be evacuated with a vacuum pump before starting.

[tebo77]

The kit I bought has the threads on the inside, and so does my vehicle. So I would need an adaptor to go on the end of it. I will look it over again today. No big rush now, since I am in NY and it's October. Thanks for the input!

[tomj76]

The R-134A connector has threads on the inside, and quick connect rings on the outside. The usual connector on the fill hose is a quick connect type.

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