Hi all,
1987 5.0 4 wd
We live in the mountains and so rarely (not in the last couple of years) use the a/c. We are taking a road trip to the midwest next week so tried out the a/c. Seems to work OK. Not cold/cold but enough to cool the cabin. The a/c compressor is cycling on and off rapidly. On for 5 seconds and off for a couple of seconds. Then back on. Is this normal? If not what does this indicate a particular problem. Any help would be appreciated.

 

The compressor will do that if low of refrigerent. So if you are not getting really cold air coming out the ad more refrigerent to the system.

 

The previous owner gave me a tank of R-12 but I am not sure which connection to use. Is it the connection right next to the "climatiser" or the one on the opposite (driver's side) of the radiator? Also is there a way to tell when the system is properly charged without a pressure gauge?

 

No you need a pressure gauge you can get them with a can of r-12 at the auto parts store. And to put the refrigerent in with the ac on max and at full speed blower. The port is on the passenger side nere the black round condenser there is a black cap that screws off.

 

the port that you want to use is right next to what i think you are calling the climatiser it is not the one on the dirver side on the ac line.

 

Thanks for all your help Ryan , you have confirmed my guesses. I will try to locate a pressure gauge to refill the refrigerant so that we don't melt when we visit the lands of high humidity.

 

No problem I just had to do the same to my truck before it hit over 100 in arizona. O and just so you know my truck ended up tacking two full cans of R-12. Just ask if you need any thing else