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AC problem
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44783		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Liberty Titan [ Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:31 pm ]
Post subject:  AC problem
Jeep went from nice cold air last summer to blowing warm air this year.

I have looked but couldn't find one...is there a fuse that may be blown?

I wouldn't mind having an idea of what to look for before taking to the shop. I know its a pretty vague problem description but any help would be apreciated.
Author:  BrendonR [ Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
The blower motor is running, as it's blowing hot air at you.... sounds like the switches/fuses are all okay...

It sounds to me like you have a leak in the AC lines, and all the re-fridgerant bled out. The shop can do two things.... try to find the leak and patch/replace - then recharge. or simlply recharge and let it leak out over the course of summer again.
Author:  jnaut [ Mon Jul 06, 2009 1:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC problem
Liberty Titan wrote:
Jeep went from nice cold air last summer to blowing warm air this year.

I have looked but couldn't find one...is there a fuse that may be blown?

I wouldn't mind having an idea of what to look for before taking to the shop. I know its a pretty vague problem description but any help would be apreciated.


First thing you need to do is pop the hood, and have someone turn on the A/C while you stand, looking at the compressor. If you see the compressor clutch engage and start spinning, then the compressor itself is 'working'. If you never see it engage, then you might have switch/relay/fuse issues.

But if the compressor engages, then you're likely looking at an empty/leaking system. At that point you should take it to a professional shop to get the system leak tested and then refilled.
Author:  Liberty Titan [ Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:21 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ya, was looking at it this afternoon. Compressor is not engaging. The fuse is good. How do I tell if there is a problem with the relay?

I was thinking if I sprayed some contact electic cleaner I might get lucky?
Author:  adamkrz [ Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
It won't engage if the refrigerant is low or all gone, You need to put guages on the lines to see what's going on.
Author:  rt_power [ Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
try jumping out the low pressure control. this will determine if the compressor will run. my guess is that the condenser had taken a rock or you have a slow leak some where. If this is the case you will have to take it some where and have it looked at and what ever you do DONT use the DIY recharge kits
Author:  Jeep Dawg [ Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: AC problem
jnaut wrote:
Liberty Titan wrote:
Jeep went from nice cold air last summer to blowing warm air this year.

I have looked but couldn't find one...is there a fuse that may be blown?

I wouldn't mind having an idea of what to look for before taking to the shop. I know its a pretty vague problem description but any help would be apreciated.


First thing you need to do is pop the hood, and have someone turn on the A/C while you stand, looking at the compressor. If you see the compressor clutch engage and start spinning, then the compressor itself is 'working'. If you never see it engage, then you might have switch/relay/fuse issues.

But if the compressor engages, then you're likely looking at an empty/leaking system. At that point you should take it to a professional shop to get the system leak tested and then refilled.


An adjustment to youy comment.
If you lost your charge, the comp clutch wont engage. The Refrigerant pressure is too low and it wont kick the compressor. if it does it is only for 1 second.


The best thing to do is get your self a set of R-134a gage set with auto fittings and check your pressures. If you know some one, good. get a vacc pump and draw a vacuume to at least 29.9"Hg and sut the system down and let it stand for a while. if you have a leak, you will see the gage pressure rise slowly and you will never hold a deep vacc......worst case, your comp is shot


Image
Author:  jnaut [ Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
adamkrz wrote:
It won't engage if the refrigerant is low or all gone, You need to put guages on the lines to see what's going on.


good to know, did not know that.
Author:  Liberty Titan [ Mon Jul 13, 2009 11:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Thanks for the responses gentlemen. Been busy but I found a guy who will assess the problem for free just a matter of making the time to get there. I'll let ya know the diagnosis.
Author:  Liberty for All [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:54 pm ]
Post subject:  My AC is hot air only too
It just started two weeks ago crossing the Big Valley on my way to Tahoe.
It was 100*F outside on the highway and the air started blowing warm.
I will see what I can when I get someone to push the button on for me.
It just happened on the fly. I will check for the fuse. It is located in the side panel of the dash, right?

:?:
Author:  GeoJeeper [ Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
I had the same symptoms that it sounds like you are having. Got it recharged, working great now.

He couldn't find a leak, but said the coolant that he put in has dye in it. So if there's a leak, we'll find it. I'm just glad it wasn't a shot compressor.
Author:  Joe Romas [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:22 am ]
Post subject:  Colored coolant.
The refrigerant with the dye may or may not help :shock: I just replaced the evaporator on my 00 Cherokee this past weekend and you couldn't see the yellow dye till it was out of the car. It's in a big box behind a bigger dash. I used a "sniffer" and it went off when I put the probe in the dash vents :cry: It took most of two days to replace it :roll:
Author:  tjkoen01 [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 11:31 am ]
Post subject: 
Liberty for All wrote:
It just started two weeks ago crossing the Big Valley on my way to Tahoe.
It was 100*F outside on the highway and the air started blowing warm.
I will see what I can when I get someone to push the button on for me.
It just happened on the fly. I will check for the fuse. It is located in the side panel of the dash, right?

:?:


you probably had a rock strike your condenser and put a hole it in.
Author:  Liberty for All [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:  AC out
I do not think a rock hit the condenser. The condenser is located top front of the engine, right? The belt goes around its pulley.
I do not see any evidence of fluid.
But you said you could not see any on yours.
Which location is the fuse for AC?
Author:  sleeve84028 [ Fri Jul 17, 2009 1:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
My basic understanding:

The AC system is a closed system where the working fluid (R134) changes from gas to liquid to remove heat from the cabin of your vehicle and transfer it outside. R134 has a low boiling point so if there is a leak - the liquid will just boil and evaporate into the air... Thus you can't see it.


AC components:

Condensor [mounted in front of the radiator]
Evaporator [mounted in the dash / HVAC unit]
Compressor [mounted on the engine]
Dryer [mounted on hardline before EVAP, in engine bay]

Condensor = Hot Compressed gas goes in. Cold Refrigerent fluid comes out
Evaporator = Cold Refrigerent liquid goes in. Semi Heated gas go out
Compressor = Semi heated liquid in. Hot compressed gas out
Dryer = Removes moisture from the system
Author:  kdlewis1975 [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 12:35 am ]
Post subject: 
I know your guy's pain. Mine croaked last summer. I had a mechanic nice enough to recharge it with freon. It only had half of the original amount. I later had a different mechanic install balljoints and A-arms and had him check the A/C out. He did leak testing where he pressurized the system and checked to see if the pressure would bleed off and then did the vacuum thing. Diagnosis...seals on the compressor are bad and the system was completely empty. I will tell you that I actually missed the A/C during the winter here in MI...used as a dehumidifier when the defrost is on and makes things work way more efficient.

He also gave me some tips. 1. Get a new compressor. Remans are destined for failure. And having a CRD...not going to find one of those anyway. 2. Replace the drier when installing a new compressor. The risk is that foreign pieces could be captured (from seals in my case) and would potentially nuke the new compressor.

I recently got my new compressor, but haven't scheduled to have the work done yet. I'm not surprised that the compressor is different from the gas version as I assume there may be something about belt alignment or a design to better handle the vibration of the diesel...and it obviously costs a little more. The drier is also different between the two and that's a little mystifying. The condensor is also different due to the one on the CRD doubling as a transmission fluid cooler.

Hopefully, you just have a line leaking somewhere. They can put in a little bit of fluorescent dye to help figure that out.
Author:  dirt pig [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:34 am ]
Post subject: 
All systems develop a leak sooner or later. This usually happens over winter when you don't use the A/C. The seals dry out and crack, then leak. Then when the warmer weather approaches, you turn on the A/C and hey presto !! No A/C.

This has happened with every vehicle I've owned. (Will I never learn?.....Hmm...Better turn the A/C on. Even though it's winter here).

Usually only a small leak. I've had systems, recharged that have lasted for the rest of the time I've owned the vehicle!!
On recharging, just make sure that they use dyed refridgerant, so if it is a major leak, it will become detectable for repair.
Author:  Liberty for All [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:06 am ]
Post subject:  Thank you all for the AC insights and stories
This is all useful info for me. I have never had AC on any of my used or new vehicles in over 30 years until this Liberty.
In California, how much can I probably expect to pay for hopefully just a recharge? Where is the best place to do it so it is done right and not too expensive? I am currently unemployed.
Not the dealership I would guess.
:o
Author:  dirt pig [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:55 am ]
Post subject: 
Any reputable garage can arrange a recharge. I'd say probably about $US70.
Just arrange a quote from any mechanic's workshop and stay away from stealership.
Author:  Joe Romas [ Sun Jul 19, 2009 9:15 am ]
Post subject: 
Dirt Pig
When you run your defroster the compressor also runs. Also on at least the 06 liberties the AC runs when you select heater and mixed positions on the dial :lol:
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