I don't do alot of work on my vehicles but thought I could give this a try. My wife's 99 Windstar has no A/C.

So I went and bought 3 cans to refill it but after I have it attached start the van and then open the can it doesn't seem to be going in.

Do you think it could be the compressor and how do I tell? or am I just doing it wrong.

Thanks for the help

 

You attached the hose to the low side service port, started the engine and turned the A/C on, right? Did the compressor engage? Before you put anything else in, does the compressor run at all? If not, disconnect the low pressure switch on the accumulator and use a paper clip or a piece of wire to jump across the two terminals at the connector on the harness side to force the compressor on. Let it run for a bit and see if it gets cold.

Edited to add: I've seen a few Windstars with faulty blend door motors, stuck on heat or halfass between hot and cold.

Standin' by...

 

Look at the center of the compressor pulley to see if it is engaging. The outside turns all the time but the center only turns when the clutch is engaged.