A/C Clutch Not Engaging?

JOESNOT8

MEMBER
1996 JEEP CHEROKEE
4.0L
2WD
AUTOMATIC
196,000 MILES

My vehicle listed above A/C Clutch is not engaging without bypassing it using a paperclip in the Relay. This allows it to blow cold. The A/C Clutch Relay Fuse under the hood was replaced and didn't fix this issue. The vehicle had A/C when I bought it and it was fixed once. Had a leak and was patched with no additional work added. After it was patched, it blew cold, but it took a while to get there. Approximately 2-5 minutes. My guess is there isn't enough Refrigerant 134a to allow the ac to kick on (A/C High/Low switch but I don't want to refill it for it not to work still.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

Hi,

You could be correct. The first thing you should check is if the Freon is low.

Here is a link that explains how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-how-to-add-freon
'
Also, here is a link you may find of interest and helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-air-conditioner-not-working-or-is-weak

Let me know what you find. Also, if the Freon is not low, we will need to go back to the relay to see why it isn't actuating and powering the compressor.

Let me know.

Joe

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Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 AT 9:09 PM

JOESNOT8

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Howdy, thank you for the reply. My vehicle also has an overheating problem at the moment. I've changed the broken electrical fan, but it didn't fix the problem as well as changing the thermostat and the temp sensor near the thermostat on the engine block. My next guess is a clogged or calcium built up radiator as it's hot but it's not in the red on the overheating scale. This overheating only really happens when you push the engine or when it's really hot out. Back to the A/C Problem. I've checked the A/C Pressure with the engine off and the pressure is reading as low as it goes. I'm assuming this means a leak, correct? I've attached a video and two photos, one of the connection, one of the pressure, and one video of how the ac can be jerry rigged to work.

Images & Video (Click to make bigger)

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Sunday, June 25th, 2023 AT 3:31 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

Hi,

Yep, you jumped the relay. Since there is no pressure in the system, the relay won't actuate because the low-pressure switch is telling it not to.

Have you tried recharging it?

Let me know.

Joe

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Sunday, June 25th, 2023 AT 9:44 PM

JOESNOT8

MEMBER
3 POSTS

No, not yet. Would this be the correct course to see if it would kickstart the system?

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Monday, June 26th, 2023 AT 9:10 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,700 POSTS

Hi,

If you recharge it, the system should turn on when the minimum pressure is reached. The only thing is, if there is a leak, we didn't fix it.

Take a look at this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/air-conditioner-leak-detection

Also, if you have an A/C manifold set with a vacuum pump, you can see if the system holds a vacuum before you add Freon. It could save you money.

Here is a link that explains how to vacuum and recharge a system:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

Let me know.

Joe