same 1999 jeep cherokee 2wd as before.

the vents all actuate correctly, and the fan runs, but no air flows. I suspect it's full of mouse nest, as it's putting out a -tiny- amount of airflow, but not much.

From the looks of things, to get the airbox out to open it and clean it out, I'm going to have to:

1. remove the dash,

2.bleed the AC,

3.bleed the cooling system

4. disconnect AC and Heater piping at the firewall.

5. Undo the 5 screws holding the airbox in place.

6. carefully remove it from the car, clean out all the mouse-crap, and reassemble.

I know I'm probably wishing for something that doesn't exist, but is there an easier way to do this?

 

I've seen a blower motor that the fan cracked and wasn't spinning enough to move any air. You might look at that b4 you pull the dash

 

I hate to tell you this, but that rodent smell from their waste will probably hang around for a long time.

 

When you do have the fan on does it smell real bad like rat **** and poop? If not I wouldn't think a nest is the problem. I would still pull the blower motor and make sure that it is operating correctly. I'm not 100% sure how cage is mounted to the motor, But make sure that it is still securely mounted.

 

You can take a quick look in the fan chamber from behind the glove box.

Roll down the glove box by removing the two rubber stops then look in at the recirc air door opening. If the door is in the recirc position (open) you can see the blower fan cage, and anything that may be clogging it up.

If the recirc door is not open, start the Jeep and place the AC/Heat Mode selector to MAX AIR (Recirculation) setting or to off. Either position will open the door.

Pic below shows the recirc air door location (you won't be blowing everything off, like in the pic, to see the door.

If there is crap in the fan chamber you will need to pull the fan motor out to clean the chamber.

 

When I cycle the controls, all the ductwork flaps move.
The fan spins, but only the tiniest trickle of air comes out.

As far as the smell, the entire car stinks so bad it's impossible to tell. I'm taking the inside down to the metal i think.

but you're saying there's a way to pull the fan without pulling the entire heater box assembly?

 

Did you look in the recirc air door opening like I outlined above? Doesn't look like it.

The blower is removed from the engine bay side. You don't have to remove the HVAC Unit to remove it.

 

I did, in fact, look where you directed. I did not see anything other than a small opening and the vanes of the squirrel cage. I may be mis-interpreting your instructions, but I did make a point of looking where you pointed in the picture. That flap does open and close when it should.

Now, apparently you can get the blower out from the engine side of the firewall. Thank you, that's what I needed to know.

 

ok, so I got the blower out, and there's no clogs... Dammit.

So, I'm taking the whole box out, and testing all the vent actuators, and inspecting the insides... Details to follow.

 

I would put power directly to the fan to see if its spinning full speed before pulling the entire HVAC box.

 

the fan works. I know the fan works because I thought it -wasn't- and I stuck my F***-ing finger in it. Trust me, it works. That squirrel cage has some sharp edges...

And at this point, if I'm every going to get the stink out of it, I'm going to have to pull the HVAC box and clean it. Really, you have to experience the smell to believe it.

Something died in there, and then baked in the texas heat. it's vile.

 

i hate pulling heater boxes

 

Probably a snake. Snakes really stink bad.

 

I already found 2 dead mice, I'm not suprised that there might be a snake in there as well.

I've decided I'm going to dump the interior. The seats are ok, they don't smell, but the carpet reeks and the headliner is sagging. I'm going to use bedliner to paint the floor, and probably call it a day.

More pertinent to me at the moment is how to uncouple the AC lines from the condenser. the clips came off nice and easy, but the lines don't want to come free. is there a trick to it?

Edit - Oh isn't that just frabjous. Apparently there's a special tool require to disconnect the AC lines. How utterly -special-. ah well, hit the tool store tomorrow.

 

Well, I finally got the bloody HVAC box out.

Holy s**t, what a mess.

The HVAC box is broken in 3 places,

The AC evaporator is a lump of white chalky gunk.

Agressive interrogation of the previous owner reveals the heating system 'never worked quite right'

further investigations reveal...

The rear hatch has literally -half an inch- of bondo on it.

The plastic mounts inside the console are all broken.

The frame of the driver's seat is was broken in two places, and I had to weld it.



Still, it was free... ish.