A/C issues on 84 C10 with 5.3 LS

[whitelightning603]

Your persistence paid off. Sometimes you just have to keep digging. Recently I replaced the compressor on a family members 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Also replaced receiver-dryer and a high pressure tube that had a 'captured' orifice. Pulled vacuum and it held. Started to charge it. Took the 1st can- then wouldn't take any more. Put refrigerant in warm water, waited long time, wouldn't take any more. The low side hoses were hot and it would freeze in that tube that had the captured orifice. Asked the local a/c gurus, they said maybe blockage or orifice stopped up. This tube with the orifice is a replace only deal.So I removed it and opened it up with a tubing cutter. Orifice was clean as new (which it was). Now bear in mind I had some older gauges and had gotten adapters to fit the quick connect 134 fittings. Both low and high side gauges had readings. Finally I removed the receiver dryer (which had the fitting) and the high side hose that had that fitting. What I discovered was that the adapter for the low side fitting was only opening the schrader valve enough to let the gauge read the pressure - but not enough to allow the refrigerant pass through. It allowed the 1st can through but connecting the 2nd can moved it just enough to stop the flow. So like you, I got to install everything a 2nd time along with another tube with orifice in it. Then used a different adapter and it charged normally. I didn't like doing all that work, but have to admit it gives you pride to say "it didn't whip me". Good job sticking with it.