"Low Freon" alarm on my 1996 ETC. When station

You need to know how an ac system works to make repairs.
It could be an electrical problem, low on freon, or a mechanical problem with the compressor.
A mechanic would check for power to the compressor and the freon charge with a gauge set.
Freon is minus 30 degrees coming out of the can.

yes, L is for low pressure side or suction, attach refrig. to this port

Try recharging your Freon. You can buy a recharge kit at almost any auto part store. Hook it into the low pressure port on the A/C line. On my 3.1L it is best to jack it up and get to in from underneath, metal line in the middle with a blue cap.

Are ou turning the A/C on? and does the switch to the A/C work?Assuming the system is low and the switch does work and you are having trouble putting in the freon and the shrader valve is in working condition use the relay to command the system on.Go to the engine junction fuse box there find the a/c relay its is listed on the cover of the fuse relay assembly take the cover off the a/c relay there you will expose the relay mechanism insert it back in its socket and as you are recharging collapse the switch to force the a/c compressor on and it will recharge

Follow the a/c lines, from the condenser in front of the radiator, until you find one or both of the hose connections and the one that the a/c recharge hose fits onto is the low side port. The recharge hose will not fit the high side port.

Freon does not evaporate nor dissipate. If you're low on freon there's a leak. If it is low by 50% or more you will end up with air pockets in the system & air will keep the system from cooling correctly & dramatically shorten the life of the compressor. A local mechanic will check the system for leaks, remove the existing freon, examine the fittings, expansion valves & seals, replacing worn ones, **** the system down & recharge it...the going price for this service is $ 150.00 compared to $ 1000.00 up to replace the unit, if you make a mistake trying it yourself.

Are you sure you put enough freon in it ? sounds like low presser switch kicking in and out...
The more freon you add the longer the compressor will stay on, when it stays on with out shutting off, stop adding freon.....now if you know there's enough freon in it...you may have a clogged orfis tube, this is like a small filter in the line next to the dryer... its hard to say with out looking at it??

In this case, I would suggest that the low freon pressure switch has activated and prevents the compressor from running and damaging your system in your 15 year old vehicle. To prove this, find the switch and short the switch out and see if the compressor kicks on.

How do you fix this? Get the system recharged. Also have the mechanic check for leaks. The freon escapes somehow ...

Thanks for your question today.

Check the freon, pressure, more then likely low on freon, recharge a/c system.

It's just low on freon, low pressure switch will cut a/c compr off and on, so it won't get damage a/c compr. due to low on freon, recharge it you'll be fine.