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AC low pressure switch functions

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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 10:48 AM
  #1  
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Default AC low pressure switch functions

1995 Ford F150 AC evacuated , installed 2lb 4 oz of R134a ( have legit scale ) cools great when the low pressure switch on the side of the accumulator is jumped. Is that just a safety low refrigerant switch or is it needed for normal operation ?
Can I leave the jumper in it and drive a few days without problems IF it does not leak and get low on R13a while I figure out if there are other problems ?
Also my high side valve , when I tried to take off the red hose is leaking... I have the legit Schraeder valve replacement tools.. but I do not think they will reach through the aluminum R134a fitting to extract them. Thanks, GB
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 11:48 AM
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The low switch is what makes the clutch cycle when the air temperature gets so low that the evaporator might freeze. Jumping it could result in a block of ice around the evaporator core, blocking all airflow. It could also result in the compressor sucking in outside air if there's a refrigerant leak. The switch is cheap & common to buy new, and even-cheaper & -more-common at JYs. Just make sure you get the yellow/orange R134a switch.


(phone app link)


The factory service ports do NOT contain Schrader valves - they contain rubber *****, which are easy to cut with inexpensive gauges. If yours is a factory port, you'll have to buy a new one.

Refrigerant service is more complicated than it seems. If you're not trained for it, you should pay a pro to do it right. Read all the captions in this album:


(phone app link)
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Old Jun 15, 2018 | 04:29 AM
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Twenty years of dealing the automotive AC stuff and this is the first time I have ever seen such a bad design for an AC ' valve' . FORD has a fix which puts a normal Schraeder valve into that space. It is
F3AZ-19E762-A
less than $20
the old aluminum fitting screws off ( after evacuation ) and this one simply screws on. I found this youtube video showing it.
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