Need A/C Service for XJ

[Yingpin]

Hey everyone,

I wanted to find out if anyone has had a good experience with a local shop to have my A/C serviced for my 98 XJ. I tried to charge it yesterday and the compressor finally kicked on however the air never blew cold. I am thinking that the compressor or clutch may be bad.

This is not a daily driver and I really don't want to spend a lot of money fixing the A/C on it because it is mostly my hunting rig in the winter and occasional camping vehicle during the summer. I can tolorate the 4-70 AC (4 windows down and 70MPH) however the wife is no so enthusiastic.

Any suggestions? I live in the White Marsh area 21236

[RatLabGuy]

If it is low of Freon, then the low pressure switch will keep the compressor from turning on - this is b/c Freon also serves as lubricant for it. That's a sort of safety mechanism.
Typically if the compressor is "bad", it either will not turn at all (it's just a big pump) b/c it is seized up, or it will make a lot of racket. If the clutch is bad, you can hear it try to engage (energize) yet not turn the motor.

A quick easy start is to just take 12v and apply it to the compressor directly, basically bypass all other stuff. If that works, but it is not cold, then you may just need freon. If it works and IS cold, then you have a bad sensor preventing it from running. If nothing happens at all, then yep, time for a replacement (get out your wallet).

Don't run it too long liek that, b/c if there isn't any Freon in there to lube it, it could lunch the unit.

And if there is no freon, you have to ask yourself... "Self - where did the Freon go?"

[poopypants]

sands service max in white marsh...ask for jeremy

[blee1099]

Couple of questions..

Is the compressor cycling on/off constantly? If so that could be a sign of low charge.

When you did charge it did you use one of those DIY kits or did you use a set of manifold guages? If you used the first type then chances are you didn't put enough or too much.

Another thing to consider maybe a dirty orifice tube.

[Yingpin]

Blee,

The compressor was not comming on at all prior to me messing with it. I did use one of the DIY charge kits with the basic guage and leak sealer. I know that these are not the best, but it was my first place to start. Once I got the pressure up the compressor would cycle on and off constantly.

[Yingpin]

I took it to a shop and they ecacuated the system and recharged it. The charge did not hold and they could not find the source of the leak using die. THey believe it is the evap canister which would require taking apart the dash. I am not sure how much this would cost, but I dont think that I will fix it.

I am actually thinking about selling the XJ and the YJ to buy a used truck F150 or Chevy 1500. I am really torn on what to do because with my son who is 18months old and the fact that I hardly drive either Jeep because I have a company car my family needs are leaning me toward a truck.

A pick up would be more suitable for hunting and pulling our camper where the YJ and XJ are not. I live in a Townhouse and get grief for having 4 vehicles for just my wife and I so this would consolodate them.

I have had the jeep since I started college and I have thought about selling it a few times but cant emotionally get rid of it. Blah Blah Blah, I dont know what to do.

[RatLabGuy]

Well, honestly... it sounds like you DO know what to do, just don't want to.... they are hard to let go of!
What year and kind of shape is the XJ in? It's going to be harder to seel w/o working A/C - unless you wait until winter, lol.

[Yingpin]

RatLab,

The XJ is is in great shape as far as I am concerned. I have owned it since 2008 and bought it from a girl I worked with and right after I bought it I had to replace the water pump and tstat. I loved working on it and installed a brand new RC 3" full pack lift on it in May 2010. I have only driven it about 400 miles since the lift was installed. It has 122K on it currently and I think that I bought it from her with 117.

There is only one dent and that is on the Lower Left rear door but its not that noticable.

Here is a pick of how it sits now.


http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm303/Yingpin18/Jeep%20Pics/024.jpg

[4drmopar]

Actually, if its leaking refrigerant... did they do a Dye test?>If so, I bet it IS in the dash, Chrysler is famous for it... the new units are much better though...same issue with my 01 Grand....when the dealer did the heatercore for FREE when I bought it.. I paid the extra few hundred bucks to put in the new AC part in so I didnt have ot eat the labor again later.... find out if you need to drop the whole dash or not, if you do, price a Jeep dealer out too since they do it ALL the time...give Adams Jeep a call in Aberdeen, 410-879-5800 and as for John in service.......

[poopypants]

how much?

[4drmopar]

how much?? for labor, well my Grand Cherokee WJ was about a grand in labor, but my dash is way more complicatd to drop than yours.. my evaporator in my dash was about $400 from Mopar (only place I recommend getting one from), you shoudl be WAY cheaper..

[frosty]

how much?? for labor, well my Grand Cherokee WJ was about a grand in labor, but my dash is way more complicatd to drop than yours.. my evaporator in my dash was about $400 from Mopar (only place I recommend getting one from), you shoudl be WAY cheaper..

I think he is asking Yingpin much he wants to sell the XJ for. Or did you both reading the thread prior to posting?

Of course I am probably wrong and he really wants to know how much you spent.

[Ripster]

http://www.marylandcreepers.com/MCForums/showthread.php?t=3948
Granted, it doesn't answer any of the questions, but it's revelant...

[Yingpin]

They did do the dye test and could not find where it was slowly leaking from. Since they could not find the source they assumed it was under the Dash. I was thinking about selling this Jeep or the Wrangler because I did not want to spend a ton of money to remove the entire dash and fix the AC. It is running cold now but I am assuming it is going to fade away.

Both Jeeps are not my daily drivers and I dont get to drive them too often and with my needs changing I can only jutify picking up a used truck if I get rid of both. I may wait a year or longer until my wifes car is paid for and maybe buy a nicer truck.

I am not sure yet what I would sell them for but have been looking around the local market and KBB to get an idea in case I get an offer that works. But I am not moving on it yet. I love the wranger!