I did my r129 last october. You may test the system w/o putting everything in place--- You have to connect the airbags though or else it will send an error message to the comp. make sure that the instrument panel is also inplace so that you can monitor temp and oil pressures while testing the system - this saved me from big trouble because when I tested my system, The radiator was not full - all the way, the temp went up fast!!! w/o the gauge telling me this, I would have over -heated the engine. So, first connect all A/C components- vacuum , then charge. connect air bags passenger and driver. connect instrument panel, connect battery. start and charge(refrigererant) some more. read guages

good luck - I was able to finish mine in 26 hrs from start to finish. Not hard - just very detailed.

*** I vacumed mine for 1 hr and kepy the gauges over night- if no changes on gauges, then you're good to go**

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a2


1978 280 CE silver
1986 560 SL black
1987 300 SDL cream
1994 SL 500 brilliant green
1997 E 300d dessert silver
2005 FORD F250 Superduty Crew cab 4x4

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