If your air conditioner stops putting out cold air, your Chrysler LHS will probably need to have the freon levels charged. Freon escapes the system over time, even if the system has no leaks. You can buy freon recharging kits anywhere automotive products are sold.This is a routine maintenance procedure, and you do not need to be certified in automotive air conditioning to do it. There are two types of freon available: R12 is for older cars, and R134a is for cars make after 1984.
Visit an automotive retailer, if this is your first time recharging a vehicle. You will not only need an air conditioning recharging kit, but also a thermometer and a pair of protective googles or eyewear.
Read the instructions that come with your kit. This process may be similar in spirit, but always give deference to the manufacturer's instructions.
Put on your protective eyewear.
Put the recharging kit together. This entails attaching a hose and gauge to a canister of freon. While attaching the hose to the can, be careful to not turn the valve all the way. Doing so will release the freon.
Locate the air conditioning in the Chrysler engine compartment. Specifically, you are looking for aluminum tubes that sport a high- and low-end port. Remove the cap from the low-end port, and place it to the side for later use.
Fit the recharging hose onto the low-end port. Place the recharging kit in a location away from belts, fans or anything else that might move when the engine is running.
Climb into the LHS driver's seat, and place a thermometer into an air conditioning vent. Insert your key into the ignition, and start the engine. Turn the A/C system on at full blast.
Let the engine warm to its normal running temperature. Watch the thermometer in the A/C vent. Once it achieves the lowest temperature possible, remove the thermometer, and return it to the recharging kit.
Turn the valve at the top of kit, until the freon is released. You will hear gassy noises, which is fine. It is the freon traveling from the can into the A/C system. Periodically turn the flow off, so you can monitor the kit's gauge. Allow at least a minute between charges into the A/C system.
Place your themometer into the air conditioning duct. Once the temperature in the system reaches 40 degrees, you have put enough of a charge into the A/C system, and it is okay to remove the kit. Always err on the side of not charging the system enough. Too much freon can damage the system.
Shut off the valve at the top of the can. Remove the hose from the low side port once you have charged the system, or the freon can has been depleted. Shut the hood, and switch the A/C system and the engine off.
Store any remaining freon in a place where there are no temperature fluctuations. Leave the hose and gauge on the kit, and never discharge the kit just to get rid of excess freon. The kit needs to be stored in an upright, vertical position.
