searched and from what I found I have no low port to charge my ac with a frion can from a parts store. I read I need an adapter and have to use the high port on the ac unit. I hear this is very dangerous and I would rather not have the can explode in my hand, I have a guage but nit the adapter so I can't check it. But with ac on high iget nothing but ambient air temp. Has anyone used the at home recharge kit with success and still have both hands? I want a cool ride for the next few summer months, but also require both hands to drive. Any input is apriciated.

 

I had a leak in my A/C, and used a can to try to fill mine ('99 so I have the low side) and it didnt work, it just never started blowing cold. I havent heard of anyone using that adapter to make it a low port, but if youve heard it can be dangerous it really isnt worth it. IMO A/C work can be a huge PITA. If its lost all of its refrigerant, theres a leak somewhere, and you really shouldnt just fill it, containments can ruin components, if theres a leak it is best to have a shop EVACUATE (to remove air and water and stuff) and then refill (along with more PAG oil) the system. If you dont want to fix the leak, I would at least have them evacuate, refill and then you could keep topping it off after that, although it isnt good to keep venting the refrigerant like that.

 

There actually is a LOW side port on the 1996 A4. It is under the low side pressure switch to the LEFT of the battery. You have to remove the switch's electrical connector then use a 17mm wrench to remove the pressure switch. There is a valve behind the switch, so there is NO worry of leakage. You will however need an adapter that screws onto the fitting and converts it to the proper connection. Once you have the proper connection you can start the car and begin to fill the system. When the system is full you must replace the pressure switch and electrical connection.

 

My 1996 A4 did not have a Low port, so I install one, went to junker, cut one from another car, leaving 1.5" on both sides of the port, then opened in the middle, like a jacket, use a piece of rubber pipe as a seal, make a little hole in the Low pressure pipe, and clamped using heavy duty pipe clamps, works perfect. Be carefull when do this, try to empty the system before you make the hole, good luck.

 

By far the worst repair I have ever heard of........................................... This will blow up at some point.

 

Yeah I cant believe thats working for you, so your A/C actually works? I mean I guess it is the low side, but if I remember right it still gets well over 40 psi.

 

ok here's the real deal with the '96 Audi A4 2.8L ....all there is on the A/C system is a "high" pressure point to charge the system from. The easiest option is to just take it to a shop and have them do it. I'm took mine in today cause I couldnt find crap on the net about the 96 A4. it's only gonna cost me $100 for them to do everything the best way and the complete way. That includes evacuating everything in the system, including air, moisture and old oil and putting new oil and freon in. I'm not sure if they fixed this issue in the 97 but I know they did for the 98. In fact I have a bunch of parts off a 98 and both high and low pressure lines have the couplings to the left of the battery. I was thinking about replacing them but then I remembered the low side switch and where I would plug that into. I dont know where that switch is on other cars. so it can be done but I'd have to replace more than just those 2 lines. hardly seems worth all that hassle when the shop only charges $100 to do everything through the high side port.
As far as the guy earlier in this thread saying about taking off the switch and charging it there.... well thats all fine and dandy if I could find someone who makes a threaded adapter with a recharge coupling on the other side. but I've talked to my long time snap-on dealer and he's never heard of anything like that. and the shop im going to looked it up on all-data and said that all it says is to charge through the high pressure port (with the shop machine of course, cause if figured out how to hook up a can to the high side it would probably grenade on your ***!).
So if I missed something with all this plz comment and let me know

 

http://www.amazon.com/Mastercool-MAS.../dp/B000FN4990Here is the link to buy the adapter.

 

I picked up a pack of adapters from Walmart that had the correct on. It was under $10

 

Yes they sell them all over. It's a very simple procedure, pull off the sensor, screw on the adapter Then use a piece of wire to jumper the pressure switch connector. This will make sure the compressor turns ON while filling the system. I just filled mine a month ago right in the parts store parking lot and its still blowing icey cold air!