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- Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ 1993 to 1998 Why Does AC Not Work
Guide to diagnose trouble and recommended solutions.
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Will Having No AC Effect My Defrost?
if you want to get into dehumidification and all, feel free. but simple fact is that it will get the job done.
and I've never seen an xj windshield crack from defrosting ice using heat. TJ, YJ, JK...sure. they are flat contourless windshields and the defrosters point straight at them and cause cracks.
and I've never seen an xj windshield crack from defrosting ice using heat. TJ, YJ, JK...sure. they are flat contourless windshields and the defrosters point straight at them and cause cracks.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Tennessee
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5 liter
My AC hasn't worked in years and my defroster, in the winter time anyway, seems to work OK. In the summer, if it is raining and the interior gets real humid, the defroster does nothing at all.
I assume it works in the winter time just because it is blowing warm air on the windshield and the atmosphere is pretty dehumidified naturally anyway. I don't have a problem with it though.
I assume it works in the winter time just because it is blowing warm air on the windshield and the atmosphere is pretty dehumidified naturally anyway. I don't have a problem with it though.
Well, now you have. We had a severe storm last year and coming down the parkway it was snowing so fast that people were actually pulling over on the side of the road to brush off their cars. I let it sit a few minutes too long and CRACK. Thanks for watching.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
From: Maine
Year: 1999 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
I had an XJ a while back that had the compressor go. I replaced it, but never charged it up. Ran it from September to June like that, with absolutely no issues. Having no AC will not effect your defrosting. Not every vehicle has AC and Im sure they defrost just fine.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 553
Likes: 1
From: West Texas
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L

X2 on the rain-x.....
But here is somethin I have done once a year.....just before the harvest moon...
...I take pure alchohol on a towel (usually one thats been washed so many times there is no fibers left to come off it and with the signifigant others permission to take said towel of course
).....and I douse the entire inside of the windshield with it, just lather it on heavy... wait for to dry, then using pure lemon on newspaper, wipe it all down again..... then,, I put the rain-x on it......its like BUTTER! no defrost problems even at -20.
but thats just me.
oh wait.....I don't have a signifigant other....ha hahaha i can use whatever the heck i want!!!!!!
cpnwrench
Another thought is if you are trying to cut down on moisture on windshield, is there moisture in carpets or anywhere in the interior? Cause excess moisture will cause a fogging issue. Before it's too cold... try checking under carpets, when I was running wires for stereo, I found water at the rear seat flooring. So idk.. It's a thought. Also, I've got my ac unplugged and she defrosts just fine. Those plastic window vents work wonders btw! Kinda iffy off road cause they are just plastic but sweet when it's rainy and ya want fresh air!
On a rainy or snowy day it will suck without it. It will eventually defrost but it will take much longer and probably won't do the whole windshield properly. An old trick was to clean the inside of the windows using newspaper instead of paper towels to prevent them from fogging. And they apparently also come out cleaner.
The glass where you used the squeegee will stay cleaner much longer and won't fog as easily. It also will be absolutely streak-free.
Get yourself a silicone water blade, the kind you use to dry your car. Clean your windows with windex and paper towels as you normally would. Then after you're done, lightly mist the glass with windex and then squeegee it off in one quick pass. Don't go over a squeegeed area twice.
The glass where you used the squeegee will stay cleaner much longer and won't fog as easily. It also will be absolutely streak-free.
The glass where you used the squeegee will stay cleaner much longer and won't fog as easily. It also will be absolutely streak-free.
hahaha!!!
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 0
From: Owensville, MO
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.9
Thanks for help guys. Im not trying to track down the leak. AC compressor is fine by the way. Whatever it is thats under the dash is where my leak is because i could smell the refrigerant in the cab. IVe turned my defrost on and it nice and warm just wanted to make sure the compressor wouldnt try and kick on. I ran defrost for about 4 mins and it never engaged so i guess im in the clear.
On another note, my defrost works fine. Shoot, It's stuck in defrost, when you turn the **** to high or high-low or low it stays in defrost.
It's your condensor. I've had the part sitting in the shop for months now because I'm dreading putting it in, what with having to take the steering column and dashboard off.
On another note, my defrost works fine. Shoot, It's stuck in defrost, when you turn the **** to high or high-low or low it stays in defrost.
On another note, my defrost works fine. Shoot, It's stuck in defrost, when you turn the **** to high or high-low or low it stays in defrost.
Ummm, no. I'd love to see you install a condensor under the dash. That is the evaporator. The condensor mounts to the front of the Jeep in front of the radiator.
Yes the dash does need to come off but you can do it without taking out the steering column. Just drop it down out of the way and you're good.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
From: Maine
Year: 1999 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
AC evaporator, which is in the "heater box", which means youll have to pull your dash, which means a nice 8+ hours of work if youre lucky. But, its a $60 dollar part and youll save $1000+ in labor doing it yourself.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 0
From: Owensville, MO
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.9
Ummm, no. I'd love to see you install a condensor under the dash. That is the evaporator. The condensor mounts to the front of the Jeep in front of the radiator.
Yes the dash does need to come off but you can do it without taking out the steering column. Just drop it down out of the way and you're good.
Yes the dash does need to come off but you can do it without taking out the steering column. Just drop it down out of the way and you're good.
Parts Name Fail. Thanks for the advice, I've been putting this off since July 



