I have a 96 xj, with AC. I was trying to replace a cracked vacuum line, and it broke off at the firewall. It's the vacuum line that goes to the heater core valve. My question is how/where does the other end hook to and what is the easiest way to get to it? I took off part of the dash below glove box and I couldnt see anything except the vacuum line to the vent actuator. Will the climate controller on the dash have hoses attached to the back of it, or is that manifold somewhere else? Even if I can't fish another line through, Id at least like to cap it so I don't have the leak.

Thanks in advence!

 

That line goes to the back of heater control along with all the other lines. It's purpose is to open/close the heater valve depending on the mode selection (AC, Heat, Defrost, etc.). Due to the fragility of the valve, many simply remove it. 1997 and newer models don't use it. You can simply plug the vac line if you can.

Here's the back of the heater control with the vacuum line harness (pulled from salvage yard so all lines cut,

 

Awesome, thank you very much! So that is just the back of the climate controller on the dash? Is there an upgrade if you delete that valve? Or does it just flow full time?

 

Yep, that's the control panel in the dash. With no vacuum applied at the heater valve, it should flow all the time to the core. Since it's plastic and prone to break after many heat/cold cycles, lot's of folks simply delete it and connect directly to the core. So not really an "upgrade", just eliminating a potential failure point. Just make sure you plug the vac line or the vent doors will default to defrost.

 

Thank you very much!

 

Just to clarify...what Saudade didn't state was that on 97 and up..there is no heater control valve. The hoses run directly to the core and the blend door seals block (most) of the hot air from the core and when not calling for heat. So its only a "mod" to a newer year system. If you order a set of hoses from a 97 or later they will just go directly to core. Your current hoses will not fit (long enough) since you are taking out the valve, leaving them short.

 

Well I did write " 1997 and newer models don't use it. "

However, I did gloss over the need to get new '97 hoses if deleting the valve is the goal so thank you!

 

My bad...didn't see that in earlier post. Just offering guidance in case op was unfamiliar with later model xj