ok the ac when turned on wont egage. is the clutch broke or could it need charged? order a relay fuse but hasnt came yet any suggestions?

 

If the system is low on freon the low pressure switch will not allow the clutch to engage. To charge the system you would have to bypass the switch with a jumper wire then the clutch should engage. Jump the switch, start engine and turn ac on and check the clutch engagement.

The switch is behind the PDC and to the right of the CC servo.

 

Where might one find the "jumper wire"? I went to Advance Auto and asked about one...the guy acted like I was crazy. I want to make sure I get the right tool for the job. Learnin' as I go here y'know...

 

me too, I have an XJ so her's is getting to be all new for me.

 

Sorry about that. If you separate the low pressure switch you will see 2 small holes where the pins make the contact. Find any spare electrical wire that will fit that hole and connect from one hole to the other. This wire makes the connection for the switch.

On my Dodge truck I need a thin wire.

A jumper wire is any ole wire that can make a contact from one point to another. I try to match wire size. Most are just homemade with what you have on hand.

 

Thanks you hun...the jumper wire WORKED! I used an old transformer power cord from an external modem that had taken a dump. Split it in half and cut about a 6 inch piece off...stripped the ends and folded 'em back for a snug fit. I held my breath when I turned the car on...the compressor engaged! It squeaked now and then...but once it was charged and I let it run with the oil/coolant mixture in it...it stopped squeaking. When I hooked the cycling switch back up it continued to run. It's now charged and blowin' cold air! Woohooo...I did it myself! I'm not one to gloat...but several people said I would have to get a new compressor...can't WAIT to rub their noses in it!
HA! WHAT then SON!!

Here's a pic of how I set it up...hope it helps someone else...

 

good pic. i'm heading to parts house to get a recharge kit, do it tonight and will try and post some pics and if it worked or not.

 

You shouldnt have to jumper to charge. And that squeaking noise you here is the compressor slowly being destroyed because of no oil to it.

I have NEVER had to jumper the compressor on to charge the system. That low pressure switch is there to STOP damage to the compressor, low pressure equals no oil flow.

IF you must charge it your self, just start the car with ac on max, start discharging the can into the system, when the pressure gets to a safe lvl, the ac compressor will turn on its self.

 

G'mornin' hun...I understand that the low pressure switch is a safety to prevent damage. I was told by several men...one a retired certified mechanic...that I would most likely need a new compressor because it would NOT engage after attempting to charge it. So what could it hurt to try this method? It wasn't pulling the coolant/oil mixture through the system. The compressor must be engaged to cycle the coolant.

After reading about the "jumper wire" I did some research online and actually found it suggested in my Haynes Repair Manual. (Had forgotten about it...bro-in-law had it) So it DOES appear to be an ACCEPTABLE common practice...or I'd not have attempted it. And it DID in fact WORK. The lines immediately frosted over so I knew it was cycling the refrigerant through the system...they didn't do that before.

When I turned the car off and reconnected the harness to the switch...restarted the car & A/C...it worked great...and no squeaking!

 

yes gracie it worked, your pic helped find the plug and fix the ac. pretty much acted just like you.d described. thanks for everyones inpoint. my fiancee is happy to which is best of all.