I have never tried to fix AC problems myself, so I have little knowledge on diagnosis.
No cool air coming from the air conditioner.
I hooked up a manifold gauge to it. Low side was very high 200? High side was 160
The needles didn't move when the air was switched on. The clutch on the compressor was engaged and spinning.
I've seen that problems could be Expansion Valve, Low coolant, too much coolant, or even the compressor itself.
Also electronic components that could cause the problem.
There is at least some coolant in the system because hooking up the manifold, the air that escaped from the valve was cold.
Any ideas on how to narrow down the problem?
If it's a compressor I probably wont fix it because the car has over 200K on it.

 

I've been fixing a/c's for over 55 years. What you're saying makes no sense.
While I'm also a DIYer, in this case I have to recommend you seek professional advice.
As long as there's any trace of liquid refrigerant left in the system, when the compressor isn't running, the pressure will correspond the temperature. There are pressure/temperature charts available all over the web. The pressure on the low side you're reporting as lower than the high side doesn't make sense. Are you positive you have the gauges connected correctly? Are you positive the compressor itself is turning or just the face of the clutch? The "needles didn't move" leads me to believe the compressor isn't turning. Do you hear the clutch snap in and out when you switch the a/c on? Some gauges today have shut-off valves in the hoses - did you open them up when you snapped the adapters on the ports?
Very seldom would a system be over-full unless someone without knowing what they're doing added too much.

 

Thank you for the reply.
Blue guage is on the low side red on the High. I didn't realize the guages showed different scales, I just remembered that the low side guage was very high. My son took a picture of the guages, when I looked back I saw the different scales. I'll have to read about how to use the guage with all the different scales on them.
I dont believe there is any discernable click when the clutch starts spinning. I'll have to check that. I assumed if the clutch plate is spinning the compressor was spinning as well.
I am trying to DIY this AC Problem because I don't want to spend $200 to find out I need a $700 compressor on a car with 200K miles.

 

If the gauges aren't moving, I don't think the compressor is turning.

 

Over pressure on the low side makes my internet guess say obstructions or debris in the refrigerant lines, a clogged filter drier or A stuck expansion valve, possibly due to the compressor grenading itself. Whatever is causing it you're going to have to open up the system to inspect for debris or failed parts. You might just get away with a new expansion valve. Junkyard parts project to keep it cheap. Good luck.

 

Over-pressure on the low side indicates the compressor isn't working. Figure out why the clutch isn't engaging. There's a connector feeding 12v power to the clutch when it's engaged. Test it to make sure it's getting power. Don't worry about pressures until you're sure the compressor is actually turning.

 

Thank you for the replies. In my own internet research, I had read about making sure 12 volt power is reaching the compressor, as well as the various ways the system could be clogged with debris.
As well, I am learning about types of compressors. I was also happy to learn that you can rent/borrow AC tools from the local auto parts store. It will be a few weeks now until I can get back to diagnosing this problem, and we still may take it to a shop to fix because the car is needed for work 6 days a week during the summer. In my experience knowledge, or perceived knowledge is good to have when you are dealing with a shop on getting repairs.

 

Locate the compressor connector. If you can get at it without hurting yourself with the engine running, start the engine and turn the air conditioner on. Then see what happens when you pull the connector loose and put it back on. The clutch should snap in when the electro-magnet is energized.
Step One: Prove the compressor is turning.