Air Conditioning System: Charging

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Toyota RAV4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

INSTALL CHARGING CYLINDER
HINT:

When handling the charging cylinder, always follow the directions given in the instruction manual.
1. Charge the proper amount of refrigerant into the charging cylinder.
2. Connect the center hose to the charging cylinder.
  CAUTION: Do not open both high and low hand valves of manifold gauge set.
3. Open the valve of charging cylinder.
4. Press the valve core on the side of manifold gauge and purge the air inside of the center hose.
INSPECT REFRIGERATION SYSTEM FOR LEAKS
1. Open the high pressure hand valve and charge refrigerant.
2. When the low pressure gauge indicates 98 kPa (1 kgf/cm² , 14 psi), close the high pressure hand valve.
3. Using a gas leak detector, check the system for leakage.
  CAUTION: Use the refrigerant recovery/recycling machine to recover the refrigerant whenever replacing parts.
  
  Fig 2: Checking Refrigeration System For Leakage Using Gas Leak-Detector
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
CHARGE REFRIGERANT INTO REFRIGERANT SYSTEM
If no leak is found after refrigerant leak check, charge the proper amount of refrigerant into refrigeration system.
CAUTION:
- Never run the engine when charging the system through the high pressure service valve.
- Do not open the low pressure hand valve when the system is being charged with liquid refrigerant.
1. Open the high pressure hand valve fully.
2. Charge specified amount of refrigerant, then close the high pressure hand valve.
  HINT:
  
  A fully charged system is indicated by the sight glass being free of any bubbles.
3. Partially charge refrigeration system with refrigerant.
  1. Set the vehicle in these conditions:
    - Running engine at 1,500 RPM
    - Blower speed control switch at "HI"
    - Temperature control dial at "MAX. COOL"
    - Air inlet control switch at "RECIRC"
    - Fully open doors (Sliding roof at closed)
  2. Open the low pressure hand valve.
    
    Fig 3: Opening/Closing Low And High-Pressure Hand Valves
    Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
  CAUTION:
  - Do not open the high pressure hand valve.
  - After charging the refrigerant, turn the A/C switch ON and run the engine at 1,800 RPM or less for 1 minute or more (Do not depress the accelerator pedal while the A/C switch is ON, before preforming this task).
4. Charge refrigerant until bubbles disappear and check the pressure on the gauge through the sight glass.
5. Replenish refrigerant to be 100 +/- 50 g after bubbles disappear.
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Properly Charged Refrigerant
  Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002