Gen 1 a/c relay location?

Ok, so I'm fairly certain my ac needs recharged. The original owner said he had to charge it about every other year, and it just recently got hot enough for me to turn it on here. The light comes on in the ac button, but the compressor does nothing. I checked the pressure in the system, and sure enough it is almost zero. I'm trying to do a recharge myself via the old paperclip across the relay trick to get the compressor engaged (like I used to do on my old Jeep). However, I have searched high and low both on the truck itself and online and for the life of me cannot find an a/c relay, mg clt relay, clutch relay, or anything like that

FYI I have a 2003 Reg cab 4x4 with the 2.7 engine. Any help is greatly appreciated, I just really want to try this myself before I take it in to a specialist (money's very tight for me, and a/c specialists seem to cost $$$$$).

 

There should be relays in fuse box under hood. Did you check there?

 

If jumping the relay doesn't work there is a low system pressure switch that may have to be jumped as well. Be careful and don't damage your compressor. It may be beneficial to vacuum your system before charging.

 

Yes, fuse box was the first place I checked, there's nothing in there. I've been doing more research that suggests that it is located near the passenger foot-well but I cannot find anything specific enough to guide me to an exact location, and poking around under there hasn't really proved to be of any avail.

And I believe if the relay is jumped, it shouldn't matter if the low pressure sensor is "tripped" as jumping the relay forces the compressor on regardless. Honestly though, this has turned into such a silly escapade that I am just going to live without it until I can save up some $ to have a professional do it. I guess that's the right thing to do anyhow if it is in fact leaking somewhere.

 

Shouldn't need to do the relay jump. When you hook up a can of 134a to the lo side, it'll expand enough gas into the system to pressurize the system to turn the lo-pressure switch on; compressor will cycle on/off real fast but pull the first can in real quick; it'll take a couple cans at least but watch to be certain not to overfill. (experience is with 3.0L Sienna with dual a/c.) Ck for oil leaks to be certain you havent' lost oil; just refrig.

 

That's a good point, I hadn't thought of that. I already bought a recharge can, I guess I might as well give it a try. Thanks for your pointers.

 

Yes, this is correct. No jumping should be necessary...

 

You can also get gauges from autozone to check coolant level and see if can is recharging system. They let you keep the gauges as long as you want because deposit is like 100 bucks. I have no real knowledge on ac but still did my own. Frosty cold air now!! Will take at least 2 cans I think. GL