There could be a number of reasons, and those could be narrowed down a bit if you had included the actual pressure it was running (along with the high side pressure), as well as the ambient air temperature during testing.
Possible causes may include excessive refrigerant and/or oil, a low pressure switch failure which causes the compressor to run constantly, and blockage on the low side. Incorrect testing methods are also a possibility.
High side and low side refer to the pressure in the ac system. Ie The high side is the high pressure line and low side is the low pressure line.
300psi high side and 80psi low side
the low side port is the smallest of the two, just find the ac valves and which ever one is the smallest is the low side. on the 134a it is the opposite way if you converted. The High Side(High Pressure Side) is always Smaller and the Low Side(Low Pressure Side) is always Bigger in diameter, Always.
The low pressure side of the ac system is the ac hose that runs from the inside of the vehicle to the ac compressor. The high pressure side runs from the ac compressor to the condensor in front of the radiator. Follow the ac hose from the compressor back to the body and you will find the charge fitting. It is smaller in diameter than the high pressure side. You would need a different adapter to hook up to the high side.
Low side pressure is normally 28-38 high side pressure is typically 100 + outside temperature
The low pressure side of the AC system. The charging hose will only fit on the low pressure side. It will not fit on the high side.
The symptoms of a bad ac compressor would be a grinding or rattleing sound or a low pressure reading on the high side with a normal pressure reading on the low side. The low pressure will be about 30 to 40 pounds. The high side should read around 150 to 200.
HIGH SIDE....YOUR VALVUE TO PUT IN FRE. SHOULD BE DONE ON THE LOW SIDE
The 1996 850 doesn't have a high pressure port. Recharging is done through to low pressure side.
The high pressure fitting is located either in the high pressure vapor line or muffler, while the low pressure fitting is located on the accumulator.......
They may be marked "S" and "D" for suction (low side) and discharge (high side). A simpler way would be to look at the lines going into and out of the AC.... the smaller line will be the high pressure line, while the larger line will be the low pressure line. The low pressure line will connect at the compressor inlet, and the high pressure line will connect at the compressor outlet.
That would depend on the type of refrigerant that is being used.