Refrigerant System, Charging

Refrigerant System, Charging


Review the safety precautions and warnings in this group before performing this procedure.

• The Underhood HVAC Specification Label contains the refrigerant fill specification of the vehicle being serviced.

After all refrigerant system leaks have been repaired and the refrigerant system has been evacuated, a refrigerant charge can be injected into the system.

When charging the A/C system, a R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station that meets SAE standard J2788 must be used (1). Per SAE standard J2788, refrigerant recovery stations must charge the system to an accuracy of 14 grams (0.5 oz.). See the operating instructions supplied by the equipment manufacturer for proper care and use of this equipment.

Charging Procedure


A small amount of refrigerant oil is removed from the A/C system each time the refrigerant system is recovered and evacuated. Before charging the A/C system, you MUST replenish any oil lost during the recovery process. Refer the equipment manufacturer instructions for more information.

- Evacuate the refrigerant system. Refer to => [ Refrigerant System, Evacuate ] Refrigerant System, Evacuate.

- A manifold gauge set and an R-134a refrigerant recovery/recycling/charging station that meets SAE standard J2788 should be connected to the refrigerant system.

- Measure the proper amount of refrigerant and heat it to 52° C (125° F) with the charging station. See the operating instructions supplied by the equipment manufacturer for proper use of this equipment.

- Open both the suction and discharge valves, then open the charge valve to allow the heated refrigerant to flow into the system.

- When the transfer of refrigerant has stopped, close both the suction and discharge valves.

- If all of the refrigerant charge did not transfer from the dispensing device, open all of the windows in the vehicle and set the heating-A/C system controls so that the A/C compressor is engaged and the blower motor is operating at its lowest speed setting. Run the engine at a steady high idle (about 1400 rpm). If the A/C compressor does not engage, test the compressor clutch control circuit and repair as required.

- Open the low-side valve to allow the remaining refrigerant to transfer to the refrigerant system.


Take care not to open the discharge (high pressure) valve at this time. Failure to follow this warning may result in possible serious or fatal injury.

- Disconnect the charging station and manifold gauge set from the refrigerant system service ports.

- Reinstall the caps onto the refrigerant system service ports.