AC woes still

Xodius · **Posted:** Mon Jun 01, 2009 6:52 pm

So, I had my ac checked out and it came back with a couple small leaks. The leaks were repaired, new seals and valves along with a new charge. It cools good when driving...however if I come to a red light the air quickly goes from cold to warm but not all the time...maybe once out of every 3 or 4 lights. Any ideas what could be the issue? I have heard everything from fan control module to a part called a thermal control amplifier. I really do not want to drop it off at the dealership again and this is starting to really tick me off. It worked great over the weekend...if anyone has any ideas please let me know. Obviously I would much rather fix it myself and am not afraid to get dirty.

Oh and also those of you that are techie, do you know if our KJs have a thermal control amplifier? I have heard that these go out a fair bit on Nissans but unsure if we have them in our KJs. Thanks.

More info...
FYI, I believe I still have the original fan belt on and have almost 100K. I KNOW I KNOW. OK WHO KICKED ME?! It was you Tom wasn't it?

Could this be the issue? I do not hear any squealing or anything like that. Also the belt looks brand spanking new, no cracks or wear marks.

Xodius · **Posted:** Wed Jun 03, 2009 11:29 am

Well I spent a ton of time under the hood yesterday after work and noticed a few things.
1-My antifreeze is beyond nasty and it only has about 20k miles on it. Seriously it has a weird gel like crap in it. So that will be a task this weekend me thinks.
2-My oil dropped over the past few days...must have a leak somewhere. No spotting in the garage or where i park at work. Maybe a head gasket?
3-My engine is filthy. lol
4-No seen leaks from the AC
5-DANG this thing is dirty!
6-Beer always tastes better when working on a jeep.

Everything else looks relatively good.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 03, 2009 1:06 pm

1 - What kind of Antifreeze was in it? Original or Replacement stuff? If it was replacement stuff, did you use G-05 or Mopar brand coolant?

2 - Loosing oil could explain the gelling in the coolant. And vice versa. It might be time for a leak down test on your KJ to determine where your oil is going [out the tail-pipe, or into the cooling system]

3 - uh.... you said beer in here somewhere. It's all I can think about now.

4 - You won't see leaks from the A/C unless there was a UV dye added at the last service. I would imagine that a mechanic could evacuate the system and pull a vacuum to test for any additional leaks in the system. Of course - when a system is under pressure, the o-rings tend to leak since the joints are expanded.

Xodius · **Posted:** Wed Jun 03, 2009 3:55 pm

1-I used an aftermarket coolant but it was for Jeeps and Chrysler products.

2-I was thinking the same thing.

3-MMM beer

4-I only said that I didnt see any because last time I had refrigerant spray onto the manifold and leave a...clean spot, at least I think that is what it is...either that or there is some residue there now. I did have the system vacuum tested and it came back A+ it held it and was working great at that time....1 week ago plus a day.

5-I sooo need another beer.

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:32 pm

Get yourself a case of cold ones.. grab your leak down gage and have a nice afternoon. report back with results (of the beer or the test)

rt_power · **Posted:** Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:57 pm

check for light but fresh oil leaks on all the ac line and around the compressor. this could be a leak and also check the shader access valves that is another possible leak point

could some on please explain what a thermal control amplifier is?? i know my AC but that has me stumped. never heard of it. makes me think of back to the future about the flux capacitor

Xodius · **Posted:** Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:48 pm

rt_power wrote:

flux capacitor

Close. I am not sure exactly what it is but form what I have read it is on Nissans and a few other imports. Not sure if it is on our KJs though...have not seen anything in my manuals about it but then again :roll:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:10 pm

Kinda sounds like a vacuum supply issue partially swinging the HVAC door that controls hot/cold(heater core/evaporator).

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Jun 04, 2009 8:48 pm

Haven't looked at the KJ but my (state supplied ride) a Ford Taurus did about the same thing at times and it was some little door that is vac operated, when I stopped it threw hot air driving at 60 cold air.

I didn't repair it as they don't like paying me to work on their junk :lol:

BUT you still have the original belt on there :shock:

Xodius · **Posted:** Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:10 pm

so if it is the vacuum supply door...how do I fix it?

And yes :oops:

me thinks it is the original but boy it looks good :twisted:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 04, 2009 10:14 pm

Xodius wrote:

so if it is the vacuum supply door...how do I fix it?

And yes :oops:

me thinks it is the original but boy it looks good :twisted:

You need a vacuum gauge and vacuum pump to test it,along with the vacuum routing for the mode control.

As far as the serp belt,looks is not all that makes a belt bad since it is stretched,possibly to the point where proper tension can not be applied by the tensioner.

Xodius · **Posted:** Fri Jun 05, 2009 11:17 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

Xodius wrote:

looks is not all that makes a belt bad since it is stretched

Maybe it is just me but I am not all that into stretched out ones. Guess it is time to upgrade to a newer model

Xodius · **Posted:** Sat Jun 06, 2009 7:30 pm

Cleaned the engine and undercarriage and now I hear my belt slipping just a tad. Time to order some new.

Oh well it was good while it lasted. Next weekend new belt

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 06, 2009 7:38 pm

Xodius wrote:

Cleaned the engine and undercarriage and now I hear my belt slipping just a tad. Time to order some new.

Oh well it was good while it lasted. Next weekend new belt

Don't forget the tensioner.

Xodius · **Posted:** Sun Jun 07, 2009 3:40 am

So I call the local shop and they say they have both the belt and tensioner. I cruise on over and they have the wrong belt and no tensioner. the belt is not a gator back like I asked for and is smooth on the back and the tensioner is only the pulley. So, I ended up leaving with just a $5 punch set which I just happened to see and noticed that the smallest punch is perfect for some of my handguns, lol. Next stop online to order the correct stuff. What a PITA sometimes.

AC woes still

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