storm101

Until about midday today, my ac has been working great, I noticed a funky smell inside, and a while later it wasnt blowing cold, the things I have noticed as far as symptoms go are as follows

With ac engaged, the clutch nor fan are kicking on, same goes for the heat defrost, and its not cold when ac is "on"

Electric fan still kicks on at correct engine temp.

I read that low freon could cause these symptoms, but just wanted to make sure im heading in the right direction and what/how to check and rule everything out as I have never messed with an ac system before.

So my main questions are as follows, where do I start with the diagnosing/testing process, and what am I going to need?

Thanks in advance for any help on this, Ive always wanted to know how to work on these systems, just wasnt expecting to do so this soon!

Stu46

Hi

Mine is doing the same clutch kicks in but no cold air, my peugeot 306 was doing the same all it need was recharging so the Jeep will get the same next month as it cost £58($90) a go!

Stu

storm101

that's the thing though, ac clutch is not kicking on anymore....nor the electric fan as they should right away when the ac is turned on. It was working fine for half the day though ( and the rest of the time I've owned this beast.

storm101

another note, I just hopped in and tried the ac and it worked, now it's not again...it blew cold and everything engaged, I shut it off and hit it agan and nothing.

truckntractorhick

when xjs are low on freon, they dont allow the compress to kick on as a safty feature so the compressor doesnt fry! the probable reason it worked one day and not the other is different air temps causing different pressures.

have it leak tested

storm101

I'm sure it doesn't leak, we've had it for about 4 years now, no ac issues, so I was assuming freon anyways.....just wanted to double check myself and figure out how to go about the recharge

djb383

I'd bet 1/2 or more off 12 year old vehicles don't have functioning a/c due to low/no freon caused by leaks......it's not an XJ thing, it's Detroit planned obsolescence.

coolwind57

FWIT, I just had my AC completely replaced. Same thing, the clutch would not engage. My local shop told me that mostly it is due to low refrigerant (R134). It won't even kick in if low or absent of it.

Unfortunately for me, it wasn't as simple as a refill. My compressor was shot. Don't let my $600 case scare you, however. Just go get it checked. God willing, they'll do a refill, pressure check with a dye to ensure no leaks and you'll be back on the road soon enjoying the cool air.

95Cherokee

storm101

alright, 3 for 3 voted on a leak test and refill....i am highly against shops but I'll start calling around monday, do the leak tests usually come with a refill or is that something else by istelf? From what I've read also brings another ? Is there a flush procedure recommended just for a refill or is that if you have had the system open due to a leak or repair?

again thanks, I just hate admitting to myself there may actually be something wrong with the beloved xj lol but I trust the common ideas on here as opposed to the thoughts in my own world especially when it comes to something I don't know much about, and my wife would kill me if I killed the ac system lol

djb383

Do a search, lots of a/c info, here's a post I did in another a/c thread. We replaced everything except the evap & cond 2 mos ago.


If u really want to do it up right, for max cooling results, here's how:

Separate the 4 quick connects (2 @ evap & 2 at cond) and 1 bolt at dryer
Remove the old dryer (it's a filter and probably has compressor shrapnel in it)
Remove the old liquid line/orifice tube (it's also a filter and probably has compressor shrapnel in it)
Pour a/c flush into the evap and cond and blow both out with compressed air
Turn new compressor upside down and pour any/all oil out and re-install
Determine correct amount of PAG compressor oil for a 2000 model XJ
Pour 1/2 of the new PAG oil into the new dryer and 1/2 into the new compressor
Using new o-rings, re-connect everything, double/triple check everything, take your time
Take it to a pro, tell them u added compressor oil and want a vacuum pulled and the system charged with new R134a (without oil)

Kwick Kar Kwick Lube did the vacuum/freon re-charge for $80 on our '98 XJ using their fully automated a/c machine. We now have 34F cold air at the center dash vents.

storm101

new news, pressures and freon seem to check out, as initially thought I doubt the freon is leaking....but the level seems to check out.

it will kick in usually after it sits a while start it up then turn the ac on it runs good for a cycle shuts off and dosent re engage
again.

ac blows cold with the compressor on...what other things in the control side should I be looking at and how do I test them?

thanks

truckntractorhick

maybe one of your pressure sensors are bad?

storm101

I'm not sure...could be anything like that I just wanna know the correct testing procedures for well....anything right now lol. Btw I have been searching but I trust cf more than google.

djb383

U are like most of us....a/c is a mystery, we don't have the equipment, knowledge or know how. Let a pro check/service it.