AC problems - was running recharge w can now runs intermittent

[sanderbing]

I took our 2007 mazda 5 to an oil change place and they said my AC was low - showed the gauge at 35. The AC ran fine but I got a can of AC Recharge - the first time I did it I didn't take the safety tab off the can and tried to fill (I know - please no heckling, just reminders to read ALL the direction first) but that didn't seem to do anything - then I removed the safety tab and filled - the pressure never seemed to go up and I put about 1/2 the can in .... then the AC compressor stopped running (and the pressure on the gauge obviously went up to 60=70 range. I stopped filling and ever since then the AC runs sporadically.

When you first start the car the AC will run for about a minute then off - 1min later its on for 10-15 seconds, then off. a min or so later on again for same time, etc...


Thinking I had somehow drained the pressure with my 1st snafu I got another can. AC ran sporadically while filling (I only pulled the trigger when it was running) and got the pressure up to 45 but no change in AC behavior. OK, now what?

The fan turns off each time the compressor stops. The air flow inside is constant whether its blowing cold or not. Thanks for ANY and all help.

 

[sanderbing]

think i found the problem - a leak at this junction. its just past the junction for the High side

 

[el toro]

35psi pressure on the low-side valve is fine, when the engine is running and a/c operating full.
(when the a/c is off, 55psi or more is fine. ) if you overfill to 45psi, the a/c will cycle on and off sporadically as the pressure-limiting switch will turn it on and off.

i believe you have overcharged your a/c

 

[sanderbing]

35psi pressure on the low-side valve is fine, when the engine is running and a/c operating full.
(when the a/c is off, 55psi or more is fine. ) if you overfill to 45psi, the a/c will cycle on and off sporadically as the pressure-limiting switch will turn it on and off.

i believe you have overcharged your a/c

will the limiting switch fix the problem eventually or is it something i need to take to a garage?

 

[el toro]

The pressure-limiting switch will not fix itself. Some of the refrigerant must be recovered to bring the pressure back into the normal range. Best to take it to a shop, probably not the oil change place that misled you to start with.