General Information

High pressure side are the condenser, receiver/dryer and restrictor or expansion valve to separate the high and low pressure liquid ends.

High pressure results from the restrictor or expansion valve forming a constriction and causing the refrigerant to accumulate, thus leading to an increase in pressure and temperature.

Excess pressure occurs if too much refrigerant or refrigerant oil is used, the condenser is contaminated, the radiator fan is malfunctioning, the system is blocked or there is moisture in the refrigerant circuit (icing-up of restrictor or expansion valve).

Low pressure side are the evaporator, reservoir, evaporator temperature sensor and A/C compressor to separate high and low pressure gas ends.

A drop in system pressure can be caused by loss of refrigerant, the restrictor or expansion valve (no constriction), a malfunctioning A/C compressor or an iced-up evaporator.