HVAC Heater box issues.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15
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From: Long Island, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Hey guys.
More issues that I need advice on.
ok I was having issues with the heater box. the doors were not operating properly. I was not getting the defrost, and the blender door seemed stuck, so my stupid *** took the entire dash apart and got the heater box out. all the doors are fine inside the box, but the electric motor for the blender door has a lot of play. How do i test this motor? If its no good where do I get one? Also how do I check for a vacuum leak? I have never done that before. If i could get the basics behind checking for one it would be great
1998 xj 4.0 aw4 trans a/c
Thanks for any help with this guys
More issues that I need advice on.
ok I was having issues with the heater box. the doors were not operating properly. I was not getting the defrost, and the blender door seemed stuck, so my stupid *** took the entire dash apart and got the heater box out. all the doors are fine inside the box, but the electric motor for the blender door has a lot of play. How do i test this motor? If its no good where do I get one? Also how do I check for a vacuum leak? I have never done that before. If i could get the basics behind checking for one it would be great
1998 xj 4.0 aw4 trans a/c
Thanks for any help with this guys
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Hey guys.
More issues that I need advice on.
ok I was having issues with the heater box. the doors were not operating properly. I was not getting the defrost, and the blender door seemed stuck, so my stupid *** took the entire dash apart and got the heater box out. all the doors are fine inside the box, but the electric motor for the blender door has a lot of play. How do i test this motor? If its no good where do I get one? Also how do I check for a vacuum leak? I have never done that before. If i could get the basics behind checking for one it would be great
1998 xj 4.0 aw4 trans a/c
Thanks for any help with this guys
More issues that I need advice on.
ok I was having issues with the heater box. the doors were not operating properly. I was not getting the defrost, and the blender door seemed stuck, so my stupid *** took the entire dash apart and got the heater box out. all the doors are fine inside the box, but the electric motor for the blender door has a lot of play. How do i test this motor? If its no good where do I get one? Also how do I check for a vacuum leak? I have never done that before. If i could get the basics behind checking for one it would be great
1998 xj 4.0 aw4 trans a/c
Thanks for any help with this guys
Are you sure you have a '98. The electric Blend-Air Door actuator didn't come out until 1999.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I am the second owner of the truck and there was a past repair of the heater box. maybe the last guy put a 99 box and controller in it. But the electric blender door is there.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Here's a diagram of the '99 - '01 Blend-Air Door circuit.

.
If you position yourself so you can look up to the bottom of the HVAC Unit and to the left corner in the passenger footwell you'll see the actuator.
Turn the ignition switch to RUN, and while looking at the bottom of the actuator, turn the temp control slowly from red to blue, back and forth, you should see the white intermediate drive shaft sticking out of the actuator rotate about 90 degrees each way. If it won't move, remove it from the HVAC Unit and leave the electrical connector on it then try running it again. If it still won't move see if you can get one fro Rockauto.
If it moves when removed, try moving the Blend-Air Door extension with your fingers or using pliers. You'll know if it's lammed.

.
If you position yourself so you can look up to the bottom of the HVAC Unit and to the left corner in the passenger footwell you'll see the actuator.
Turn the ignition switch to RUN, and while looking at the bottom of the actuator, turn the temp control slowly from red to blue, back and forth, you should see the white intermediate drive shaft sticking out of the actuator rotate about 90 degrees each way. If it won't move, remove it from the HVAC Unit and leave the electrical connector on it then try running it again. If it still won't move see if you can get one fro Rockauto.
If it moves when removed, try moving the Blend-Air Door extension with your fingers or using pliers. You'll know if it's lammed.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Concerning vacuum leaks, open this link and look at all the places you may find a broken/cracked/chafed vacuum tube. Some pics are of earlier XJ's.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/g/album/3212409
The tube going to the vacuum reservoir that goes behind the battery sometimes gets broken.
To view the vacuum reservoir, lay on the ground under the front bumper right end cap, then pull down on the forward edge of the right wheel well plastic liner. Using a flashlight you can see the vacuum connection to the reservoir.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/g/album/3212409
The tube going to the vacuum reservoir that goes behind the battery sometimes gets broken.
To view the vacuum reservoir, lay on the ground under the front bumper right end cap, then pull down on the forward edge of the right wheel well plastic liner. Using a flashlight you can see the vacuum connection to the reservoir.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15
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From: Long Island, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Update: I reconnected the wiring harness and the blend door actuator works just plugged in to the harness, but a new problem arose. The relay in the harness is screaming. It is making a god awful noise. Wining like crazy. I do not have any idea what this means. With the whining the blower will not spin. Is that just a relay issue? Is there another electrical issue I need to look for?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15
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From: Long Island, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 3
From: Westminster, MD
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
No need to cut any wires. What I meant was did you plug the connector in the wrong way. It need to be plugged in a certain way.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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