Hey,
So I've had my '97 cherokee for a few weeks now and its been running great. I did notice that after a longish (1.5hr) drive on a warm day, there's quite some condensation from the airco dripping on the pavement. I assumed this was normal, but today I noticed something else that made me think that perhaps something's up with my airco. Today my passenger noticed water dripping on her feet while we were driving (with airco on). I later took a picture of what seems to be the culprit: a metal unit in the passenger footwell. I've attached a picture showing the condensation there. So my question: is this normal? I would assume not, so then: what could be the cause? And is this something I can fix myself?

Thanks for reading!

 

The condensate drain is probably plugged. I had that happen on a Rabbit I owned. Took a left corner pretty hard and slopped icy cold water on a lady friend's feet. She was not amused.

In my case, I just had to get under the car, find the outlet, and unplug it. The outlet flap had gotten sealed up with gunk. Didn't take much to clear it. Might need a pipe cleaner or two.

 

Somewhere in internet land I saw a write up about clearing that in an XJ.
Not sure what year though and I can't find it now.
Basically they found this plastic piece under the dash, a circle of sorts if I remember
correctly, on the passenger side. Drilled through it, cleaned it out, and plugged it
with the little black cap on the end of a Bic pen.

 

So it looks like I was wrong.
About the vehicle anyway.
It was bugging me that I could not find it.
Looks like the one I saw might be for a ZJ.


But I could have sworn when I was putting in the overhead console in my '00 that
I saw that plug but.........

 

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/wat...ng-cowl-34969/

 

But if this is your issue, I have to admit that one solution looks pretty ugly...

 

Start with the simple, cheap, and easy. Check that drain.

 

Looking forward to hearing the solution. Seems to me a clogged drain wouldn't show condensation anywhere; a collection of fluid in the case wouldn't end up as a small defined area on the outside of the case; you are dripping underneath so the drain is not entirely clogged; and on my 2000 that area (although plastic) doesn't get cold during any of the A/C settings.

 

It doesn't have to be completely clogged to fill up with condensate. When it does, it makes the entire box cold, thus the outside will show condensation where a normally functioning system will not.

It's free. It's easy. It's the place to start. If that's not it, no harm to the pocketbook and very little to your available time, and you have eliminated one possibility.

 

Wow, thanks SO much for all the answers guys!
I've been looking for that drain underneath the car, but have not found it. I'll see if I can find a hole similar to the one in the video above, underneath the passenger carpet. If anyone could share an exact location on an XJ that would be amazing.

I hope - but also suspect - that my issue is not the same as the linked thread. My problem is not related to rain, but to the AC being on. So I hope that saves me from having to take apart the _entire_ dash, or sawing a hole in the engine compartment. I'm not up for that 😬

 

Try looking from the top.

On 2000:

 

Dave, thanks so much for that picture. Would you mind pointing out the drain in that picture though? Sorry I'm a noob here…

 

 

And not the spliced brake line (I'm frugal)(and avoiding the 27 bends it takes to replace that entire line).

 

Thanks for pointing out the hose! On my '97 the engine compartment feels a bit more crowded and I'm having issues locating the hose unfortunately. I've snapped a pic of what I think should be the right area (passenger side, close to the windshield). Can anyone see the airco drain perhaps?