So my a/c stopped working, an I'm hoping it just needs a charge or whatever. Those charge things they sale auto zone are they just a temporary fix or long term? How else could I determine the problem?

 

Stopped working as it stopped blowing cold or stopped blowing all together?

 

Blowing cold

 

If you're going to use one of those quickie charges make sure it has a guage on it, blindly throwing freon into the system could do more harm than good. On a older vehicle it would be wise to get it serviced by a professional that can recover whatever is left in the system(good for the atmosphere) and put a pump to put the system into a vacuum, which is the second step for finding leaks, the first being visually looking for oil on any of the A/C components. At this point if the system hold the vacuum a measured amount of gas can be put into the system to check for leaks again. Top off the system to spec and you're good to go. Wouldn't hurt to check your cooling system with summer around the corner.

 

Is the compressor kicking on?

 

It looks like its trying to. The dag-on clutch or whatever spin when the psi of the low pressure valves hits about 25 then shuts off at 45.

 

DO NOT add freon with Oil in the can... Find either the DuPont SUVA that is straight freon or find a replacement WITHOUT oil added to the charge....

too much oil causes the system not to get cold.... Oil never, ever leaks out

 

Alright, but the clutch kicks on then shuts off. Any suggestions for that? Is it time for a new compressor? I bought the damn ac and heating book from Haynes but at $30 bucks hesitant to open till I run out if ideas on here.

 

The clutch is on and off likely due to the low pressure cut off switch. As the compressor runs, it's moving the gas around the system. When te system is low, the pressure is low. It's a protection device.
You have a leak, it needs to be repaired before you add refrigerant.
DO NOT use one of those leak seal cans. Then you will be buying a new compressor.... And drier, and orifice, and evaporator...

 

yep I'd lightly check all connections with wrenches and see if one is slightly loose... dont over tighten anything as that can cause a leak...

buy a can of straight freon and fill it... it may take a half or whole can...

How i fill it is rev the engine to 2500 rpm AC on MAX/AC fan on high.... fill it until the compressor stops cycling.... then drive it at normal driving and see if the compressor cycles... if it does add a touch more just until it doesnt cycle with normal driving...

you do NOT want to overfill the freon... more than just enough to make the low pressure switch not trip causes the AC to not get cold... even more so too much will Hydraulic the pump and it can explode... literally