How to Add Refrigerant to a 1996 Ford Windstar GL 3.8L V6

Ford Windstar Model Years - 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

Where the low pressure A/C port is on 1996 Windstar and how to add add freon

Author

Hans Angermeier is an ASE certified Maintenance and Light Repair Technician and has produced over 100,000 videos showing drivers how to fix things on their cars. He has broad expertise on basic repair procedures covering the majority of cars on the road. Over the past 10 years, Hans has been focused on building CarCareKiosk, which is visited by millions of drivers each month.

1996 Ford Windstar GL 3.8L V6 Tires & Wheels Change a Flat Tire

Learn where your spare tire and jack are located before you need it on the side of the road

1996 Ford Windstar GL 3.8L V6 Lights Turn Signal - Front (replace bulb)

If your blinker doesn't blink, or blinks rapidly, you likely have a burnt out bulb

1996 Ford Windstar GL 3.8L V6 Brake Fluid Add Fluid

If your brake fluid is a little low, learn how to add some here. Ignoring a low level leads to big problems

2002 Ford Windstar SEL 3.8L V6 Lights Fog Light (replace bulb)

Don't be caught in the fog with burnt out fog light bulbs

Share on   Share on Twitter   Share on Facebook
Parts & Tools
We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases as an Amazon Associate
Video Description

When the air conditioner in your 1996 Ford Windstar starts blowing hot air, you likely have a freon leak. Recharging the freon in your AC system is an inexpensive and easy first step to restoring the cooling capacity of your A/C system. Most refrigerants include a leak sealer that will seal small leaks in addition to filling the R134a freon. The A/C system in your Windstar consists of a compressor that is belt-driven, an evaporator and freon. If there is a problem with your compressor or evaporator, adding freon will not restore cooling.

How do you recharge AC in a 1996 Ford Windstar? The low side AC port location is the first thing to find when you are looking for how to put freon in a car. Once you find the 1996 Windstar AC low pressure port cap, hook up the can of refrigerant to the low pressure port. When your compressor kicks on, add freon to the correct pressure. In addition to cooling, freon lubricates the compressor when it runs. Typically the AC recharge kit you buy will have enough capacity to add enough freon to get the AC in your Windstar to blow cold air.

What type of refrigerant does a 1996 Ford Windstar use? Air conditioning systems can vary so it is critical that you check the sticker in the engine bay to determine your Windstar refrigerant type. There is an AC sticker in the engine bay of your 1996 Windstar that indicates if it requires R134a refrigerant or the newer R1234YF type to do a recharge. You cannot add R1234YF refrigerant to a R134a system nor can you add R134a refrigerant to a R1234YF system. R134a and R1234YF have different low pressure port types, so you should never use a recharge adapter to add the wrong type of refrigerant. Recharging your Windstar with the wrong type of freon can make the AC recharge cost much higher!

  • Advance Auto coupon for
    20% off entire order: KIOSK20