First time poster long time viewer of the forum. I have a 1999 XJ 4.0L that wants to give me issues lol. So I checked my AC out bc it hasn't worked since I got the vehicle but I’ve lived with it. I deliver mail out of it and 95+ degree weather for 6 to 8 hours baking in the sun just isn’t something I want to do forever. The fuse #9 under the hood which is a 20A one is the one that keeps blowing. I’ve filled it with refrigerant and bypassed with the paper clip. The compressor does work and when the fuse isn’t blown it blows cold air. Unfortunately it blows the fuse really quick. Within an hour of use.

I read someone saying they had a similar issue and their wire behind their stereo was cut pretty good from replacing it with an aftermarket one. Mine is stock and I highly doubt it’s something like that but I’m not going to say it can’t be the case lol.

All in all my question is if anyone has had this issue, is the compressor messed up in some way that it’s blowing the fuse? There’s also an ac compressor relay that I haven’t checked out that I need to look into, could that be the case as well? I’ve read some threads just haven’t found some concrete advice for myself. Most people say they’ll post back and update if it fixes the issue and the thread is dead from 5 years back lol. Just looking for some advice here. Thank you for any and all replies. Have a good one.

 

Check the wiring to the a/c compressor to make sure it's not damaged. Give it a good shake and wiggle and see if it blows the fuse. If you have a multi-meter, try measuring the current that the coil is drawing. I'm better either damaged wiring that intermittently shorts, or the clutch coil has an internal short. The good news is that if it's the clutch, I believe that can be replaced without draining the system.

 

Thanks! I’ll have to look into that when I get time. I don’t have a multi meter but I’ve got someone I know who is a mechanic who can probably help me out with that. I did replace the relay today and put a new fuse in. It blew as soon as I turned on the AC system.