Story: So I puchased a 99 Cherokee Sport about two weeks ago, charged the ac and it was working fine for a day, then was only blowing hot the next, then was on a spree of about 9 days with working ice cold ac, and now of course on the hottest day of the year its only blowing hot. I've been told AC actuator door is my problem. Is this pretty much for sure? Is there anything else I can check? I've looked all over for a guide/post about changing the actuator door and have had no luck in finding one for an XJ. Any advice would be highly appreciated.

Edit: Noticed that there's a noise under the hood that I only hear when the AC is on. Here's a video of it.

Edit 2: Noticed that the the noise corresponds with the gear closest to the hood that is spinning in 5 second intermittent bursts. Is this the clutch trying to engage?

 

I believe the actuator controls which vents air blows from. Is the large metal refrigerant line cold?

 

Bump

 

No, the large metal refrigerant line is not cold. I noticed that there's a noise under the hood that compressor is making, this little gear nearest to the hood spins for about 5 seconds, quits, waits about 8 seconds, then starts for another 5 second interval again. I have no idea what this part does, is it the compressor clutch?

 

.....bump, the metal line close to the coolant over flow bottle?

 

The sound under the hood sounds like you AC compressor clutch kicking in. When it kicks in and out that much you may have a leak in the system causing you to lose freon. The blower only blowing just on high is you blower resister is shot. that is located inside the cab under the dash behind you glove box.

 

Sounds like there is enough refrigerant still in the system to rapid cycle the clutch/compressor however, refrigerant could still be low. Does the large metal line at least get cool during the on/off cycling?......seems like it should if there is enough refrigerant to cycle the compressor on, if even only for a few seconds.

 

Correct. That line is not cold. It looks like what I think is the clutch is spinning intermittently. Again the AC was running strong then one day decided to blow heat. There was no gradual decrease in performance, so I'm leary to declare a freeon leak. Although, I do remember the last time I had a passenger in the front seat with the AC on, she said she felt something very cold and wet directly under the glove box. I thought nothing of it, just trying to supply as many details as possible about the issue.

 

Might want to explore under the dash as well.....and/or take it to a pro.