Battling hot summer weather and your car’s A/C has somehow broken? Don’t sweat it. You don’t necessarily have to take it to a certified mechanic – you can solve this issue with a bit of D.I.Y.

The most common reason for a broken A/C is often a loss of refrigerant charge. You can fix this simply by adding more refrigerant.

Check out our step-by-step instructions below for fitting and recharging your A/C with our ACP-100 Recharge Kit. It’s the quick and affordable way to get your A/C back up and running smoothly.

Table of Contents:

  1. Open hood and find low-pressure A/C service port.
  2. Turn engine on and turn A/C on high.
  3. Attach APC-100 quick connect fitting.
  4. Read pressure color.
  5. Remove plastic spacer.
  6. Recharge A/C with APC-100.
  7. Stop charging when the needle is in green.

Warning: Always wear gloves and safety goggles.

How to Recharge your A/C with ACP-100

1. Open hood and find low-pressure A/C service port

With the engine off, open the hood and locate the low-pressure A/C service port (on the larger diameter tubing, between the compressor and evaporator). Remove the plastic cap from port and keep it safe for later.

For Best Results: Charge under the shade. Keep the car doors open while charging (front and back).

2. Turn engine on and turn A/C on high

Start the car and turn on A/C. Set fan to highest setting and temperature to coldest setting. Make sure recirculation mode is selected.

3. Attach APC-100 quick connect fitting

Attach quick connect fitting on the end of ACP-100 recharge hose to low-pressure service port identified earlier by pulling the connector ring back as the fitting is pushed on.

Note: Our quick connect fitting will attach only onto the low-pressure port.

4. Read pressure color

Without pulling the trigger on the ACP-100, look at the gauge to see what color section the needle is pointing toward. Depending on the color, determine next step according to the grid below:

5. Remove plastic spacer

Disconnect the trigger assembly from service port. Unscrew and remove plastic spacer between trigger assembly and can.

6. Recharge A/C with APC-100

Shake can well and screw can onto gauge/ trigger assembly. Connect the quick connect back on the low-side port. Make sure to always hold the can upright (12 o’clock position) before starting to charge. Squeeze the trigger to charge the A/C system. While charging, shake the can up and down, alternating between 12 o’clock and 3 o’clock position. Every 10–15 seconds release the trigger. After needle is stabilized, check pressure readings on gauge.

For Best Results: Read pressure when the trigger is released, not while being squeezed. It is typical for the gauge to bounce around as the compressor is cycling. If that happens, read the lowest pressure.

7. Stop charging when the needle is in green

WARNING: BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERCHARGE YOUR SYSTEM – DO NOT LET NEEDLE MAKE IT INTO THE RED AREA.

Once the needle makes it anywhere in green zone of the gauge, charging is complete.

Do not try to get it to the highest part of the green zone or you risk overcharging. Remove hose from service port and replace plastic cap when finished.

Store any unused refrigerant in a cool, dry place, with charging hose securely attached to can.

Check out our FAQs for more tips and tricks.