A/C and Stereo Woes

I love my 2 door tahoe. It's been my dream car from the moment I got it 4 years ago. Now, it seems like all is going wrong, but it's only stupid stuff:

1. Air Conditioning
I just got back from Air Force basic training for officers and found that my air conditioning has quit. My girlfriend ran the tahoe once a week and drove it around my apartment complex, but it's quit. Let me tell you, it's no fun in Georgia during the summer without a/c. I know the compressor isn't turning on when I punch the a/c button b/c the rpm's don't change. No idea what to do. A buddy said that if the compressor runs out of freon, it will quit running to avoid frying itself, is this true?

2. Stereo
I've wanted to replace the factory radio for a while, but now I have to. None of the buttons respond to the controls. The screen will be blank until I hit the power button is punched, then it's just a dead duck. I can't set the time. I can't get the cd out of the cd player. I've got a tape and radio in one, then the separate cd player down below. If anyone knows how to quick fix this one, let me know. I'm going to replace it as soon as I get paid for camp.

Thank you,

Ben

Oh yeah... it's a 1996 if that helps...

Oh yeah... it's a 1996 if that helps...
I just recently ran into the same situation as yourself as I have recently just purchased a 1996 Tahoe 4x4. The A/C did not work. I checked all the fuses (they were all good), and did more research to find out that the A/C will not work if it is low on freon. Problem is that you have to have the compressor running to check, and or to fill it for it to blow cold.
I'll try to explain the best that I can. Excuse me if I don't have all the proper terminology correct!

Pending everything checks out (fuses, and relays), you will have to jump the compressor to see if freon is the culprit. To do this, you will have to unhook the plug that sends signal to the unit that resembles a tall can of beer near the firewall. This will be on the passenger side. Unhook the plug that goes into the unit, the plug will not be hidden, but visible to the eye. Now with the motor running, and the A/C button turned on, as well as the fan switch on, get a wire, an electrical piece of wire with both ends showing the actual wire. Insert on end of the wire in one input of the plug, and then insert the other end of the wire into the remaining open end of the plug. That would be jumping your compressor. Don't worry, you will not hurt it. If your compressor turns on right after you do this, then you have found out that your compressor is low on freon! You should be able to do the freon charge yourself. The low side service port is where you ad the freon, and that is the port that would be facing directy at you on top of the compressor. The other port facing up I believe is the high pressure port. I had a leak on the low side port at the valve, they tend to laek from there. You'll know if it does have a leak as it will bubble.

Good luck!

Thanks joeysworld, I too have the same problem with my 97 Silverado. I went to NAPA and they sold me 2 cans of 134-a and the hose. They said also just hook it to the LOW SIDE port have the engine running and air on full the pierce the can and let it empty in. He also mentioned what you said about jumping the compressor. I went out to do it armed with gloves and eye wear for fear or coolant damage. My worry was that if I hooked it to the wrong port ( high side ) I would blow the can up in my face. I saw the two black caps you mentioned on the top of the compressor, one horizontal facing me ( smaller end ) one right next to it to the left vertical facing up to the hood.

Here's my worry. I did not find your post until after I quit for the night but...the cap to the left facing up had stamped OWS on the fitting..I couldn't read if there was an L so I assumed it meant LOW SIDE. I went through the steps but found out the hose would not fit on that fitting. I pulled the cap off the fitting facing me and it was a smaller fitting so I thought well maybe it's supposed to go there....but I was worried because it had no markings on it. Everywhere I have read said the hose will only go on the low side fitting....but then I thought if there are more then one size hose, maybe NAPA could of sold me the wrong size. So I never went through with it. Now I read your post and I'm thinking I should of hooked it to the port facing me that was smaller. If you think about it both ports are on the same hose they are just both connnected by a block. Maybe that would explain why the other port had OWS stamped on it?
I just worried I don't want to blow the can.

What are your thoughts.

A word of caution. If the pressure switch has more than 2 wires do not jump it.
And make sure you are tapping the low air cond side. Several things around there with scrader valves.
R-134 system will have quick connect couplers on it.
And make sure you system is low before trying to add freon.
And if it is low there will be a leak that needs fixed.


Wal Mart DEATH KITS

You cannot properly and safely recharge an air condition system with them.

The one side stop and go gauge does not tell you what your system is doing or is over charged or undercharged.
A overcharged or malfunction air condition system can reach over 500 lbs of pressure.
Enough to blow up that can or system and freeze you at first and the burn you or blind you and if any propane /butane in there blow and light you up.

The stop leak crap and who knows what kind of oil in the kits there will stop your system for sure.
Just like pouring super glue in it.
And some kits even contain freon with a butane mixer.
Good for a big blast.

If you are going to do it do it right and safe.
Here is what you need to start with.
http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AMA&Product_Code=66773

In the older days you could just throw in a can and go.
But over the years just adding freon is getting harder to do.
Newer systems have to have the correct amount of freon down to the ounces.
Most will need pumped down and vacuumed down and the right and amount of oil and a set amount freon charge installed to get the air to cool right and the system to last.
If an air condition is low there is usually a leak that needs fixed and also a lose of lubricating oil from system.
Also air and moisture enters a low system
If you are going to try to do it get the proper type air condition gauge set with the low and high side gauges.
Hook up the gauges and get a reading with compressor running at idle and at 2000 rpm on the high and low side.
Post back pressure reading and we can help you.
MT