AC compressor going bad?
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 469
From: Southern OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
AC compressor going bad?
My compressor was making the belt squeak a little bit when I turned it on. I replaced the belt and now it is much worse. It goes away when I turn the AC off, could the compressor bearings be going bad?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 897
Likes: 2
From: NJ
Year: 2004 WJ, 1998 XJ
Model: Grand Cherokee(WJ)
Engine: 4.7 HO
Mine started off chirping, then went to loud grinding. So yes it's possible it's on the way out if your belt is tight and in good shape.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 793
Likes: 104
From: Aldie, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I was recently diagnosing an intermittent AC problem. You can check the compressor bearings pretty easily. Relieve the tension on the serpentine belt and then remove the belt. Then you can spin the compressor pulley and listen/feel for any binding. If the bearing is bad, you should fell it and hear it. It may just be your belt tension. The serpentine belt on these needs to be pretty tight.