I have a 1997 xj. A/c has never worked. well I bought one of those rechargeable a/c cans from auto-zone. after dumping the bottle the compressor wouldn't engage. Then I jumped the low pressure switch with a paper clip and the compressor turned on!!!! BUT I can smell a lot of freon. IDK if that's normal or if its leaking. Could it be i have a leak somewhere? Or is it a bad switch? Or do I need more freon for the compressor to fully engage by itself? Previous owner said it had a leak behind the dash. i had replaced the compressor last year with a new one but A/c still never worked. all relays and fuses are good too. any ideas?

 

It is very hard to say without knowing how much was put in the system. It needs to be properly evacuated, put under vacuum and recharged with the proper amount. Do you have a set of gauges to watch the pressures? For leaks, if you are smelling it inside it may be the evaporator. Look at the valves, see if the are bubbling or hissing. Look for oil build up around the lines where the metal and rubber meet.