Hey guys I have a 97 sport Cherokee and iv been having a number of problems in my dash. The first problem the defroster door flap hinge broke in side the dash then shortly after that I started having which seemed like vacume problems, every time I step on the gas the the heat or ac will switch from the dash or feet vents and go somewhere else I can hear it I just can't feel it. The final problem is after she warms up I can smell antifreeze inside and outside of the jeep i don't see any leaks inside or outside she is not overheating. I have noticed that when its cold outside the windshield in one area only it starts to fog up on the passenger side. I have suspected possibly the heater core but there is not dampness inside please any help would be great. Steve

 

I hate to say it but if you windshield is fogging up and you smell coolant it sounds like you have a leak in your heater core. Check you carpet on the passenger side. I can almost guarantee it will be wet. If not it will be soon. As for the vent changing areas that it blows out at you are correct. It would more then likely be a vacuum leak.

 

Sounds like heater core to me. Unfortunately.

 

Heater core, u gotta pull the dash almost all the way out too

 

Well that sucks thanks for help.

 

Just a heads up. If you need to keep you truck on the road and can't replace the heater core right away. You can by-pass the heater core by removing the 2 hoses that go to it and plumb them up together. You will need a barbed fitting that has 5/8" one one side and I think it's 3/8' on the other and a couple of hose clamps and you will be good to go until you can make the proper repairs.

 

If your year of jeep has a heater control valve I would replace that, it's inexpensive. I had that problem on my 1990 xj and it was a leaking hcv and it was dripping and burning on my engine and I guess would come through the firewall is how I started smelling it

 

If you have a heater control valve, bypass it. Throw away the old one and never look back. And use longer hose. And plug the vacuum line on it

 

Ok I'll look into the heater control valve I have another vehicle to drive so I'm good on the point awesome info thanks guys

 

How do i go about finding out if my xj has a heater control valve and if the heater control valve is not in the cab how would that make the inside smell like antifreeze?

 

If you have a 97 you shouldn't have one. If I am not mistaken they stopped putting them in in 95 or 96. If you did have one it would be on the heater hose near the fire wall just before it connects to the heater core.

 

I agree with RTorrez1. You would have heater control valve on a 97. Positive on that one....

96 was the last year if memory serves me correctly.

This is most likely a leaking heater core.

 

ya i think i remember reading that on a forum somewhere that they stopped in 96 ok ill check it out. thanks

 

Hey can you guys check out my thread about my front end noise, maybe some of you have had a similar problem and can get me on the right track. Thanks

 

Leaking heater core, as well as a vacuum leak. Check your vac ball canister located on the passenger side right behind the bumper, and the lines going to it.

Your '97 will NOT have a heater control valve.