Hey all. '98 Wrangler Sport. I was experiencing intermittent A/C since
the beginning of the summer. So, I figured after 5 years it was time
for a recharge. I got it recharged and it blew ice cold for a few
days. Now it's intermittent again. So, I started looking around under
the hood and found out that when I'm not getting any cold air the
condenser isn't cycling on and off the way it should be. My question is
can I just replace the clutch or do I have to replace the whole
condenser? When the clutch works and the condenser cycles, it blows
nice cold air.

TIA,

Jay

--
All this relaxing is stressing me out!

 

Most common reason for the clucth not engaging is low freon pressure - a
system leak.
Look at the pilot/sight glass on the AC radiator coil (in front/Left of
the engine radiator coil) - make sure that there are NO bubbles/foam
visible in the sight glass when the AC compressor is running - if
bubbles/foam, then you have a leak. If the pressure is low (bubbles
visible) the switch on the side of the sight glass wont energize the
compressor clutch circuit. If low pressure and you dont believe what
you see in the sight glass, with the engine running ... momentarily
short across the two prongs of the pressure switch connector, if the
clutch engages then you have either leaked freon to too a low pressure
to operate the switch/clutch .... OR the switch is bad (very rare).
First, make sure the pressure switch connector is not loose - clean it
free of corrosion and make sure it's TIGHT. Same for the thermocouple in
the AC air outlet panel in the heater/AC duct under the dash.
There is also an electrical connector on the AC compressor (about 6
inches of lead wire, then the connector) - make sure that it's not loose.

Next time you refill with freon, add an appropriate dye so that any
leakage can be easily found (by blacklight). If you do have a leak, you
can add a leak-stop compound/fluid to the freon .... as a first step
before you go rippin' and replacin' the AC system components.

If the system has leaked, and already contains R134a refrigerant, you
can recharge the system yourself by buying cans of R134a freon and a
freon 'pigtail' at just about any auto parts store.
I dont know what year they began to use R134a refrigerant in Jeeps,
perhaps someone else on this NG can help on this.
DO NOT add R134a until you **KNOW** what's in the system, as the
different refrigerants used in automotive systems DONT MIX and MUST be
compatible with the lube oil inside the compressor. For myself, when
refilling the AC system I keep adding cans of freon until the
airconditioner outlet at the dash reads about 40 degrees F.

:-)

 

Hi,
The a/c unit has a low pressure switch on it.If the R-134 A goes
down the switch will stop the a/c from running.It saves the compressor
from binding up.(safety feature).The clutch on the a/c unit will not
operate.
Did the technician check for any leaks?Did he only charge it up?How
much did the mechanic put into your system?If the mechanic used a
sealer in the R134 A It may have clogged the fixed orifice tube inside
the a\c line. NEVER PUT ANY SEALER'S INTO A A\C UNIT!
From jeep the part number is: 04883839AA 1 piece tube.
It is on the right front -by the radiator-top a/c line.Ant refrigerant
must be removed before disassemble the a/c lines.
I also have a 98 wrangler.And YES-my local dealer put a sealer into my
a\c and had to fix it for free! The a/c unit holds 8.1 oz only.
Hope this helps you!Good Luck.
>Hey all. '98 Wrangler Sport. I was experiencing intermittent A/C
since
>the beginning of the summer. So, I figured after 5 years it was time
>for a recharge. I got it recharged and it blew ice cold for a few
>days. Now it's intermittent again. So, I started looking around under
>the hood and found out that when I'm not getting any cold air the
>condenser isn't cycling on and off the way it should be. My question is
>can I just replace the clutch or do I have to replace the whole
>condenser? When the clutch works and the condenser cycles, it blows
>nice cold air.
>
>TIA,
>
>Jay

Have sence,patience,and self-restrain,and no mischief will come.

 

I know this is a fairly old post, but before you go replacing things, check
to see if there is voltage being applied to the clutch during those times
when it is not working properly. On 1998 Cherokees (and probably Wranglers
as well) the AC Clutch relay (in the fuse box) is a particularly weak ling.
When the contacts get pitted, it can fail in either the open position OR get
stuck in the closed (ON) position. That mod eof failure usually results in a
frozen evaporator, with the cooling and airflow gradully tapering off.



James V. Curcio, Jr. wrote in message ...
>Hey all. '98 Wrangler Sport. I was experiencing intermittent A/C since
>the beginning of the summer. So, I figured after 5 years it was time
>for a recharge. I got it recharged and it blew ice cold for a few
>days. Now it's intermittent again. So, I started looking around under
>the hood and found out that when I'm not getting any cold air the
>condenser isn't cycling on and off the way it should be. My question is
>can I just replace the clutch or do I have to replace the whole
>condenser? When the clutch works and the condenser cycles, it blows
>nice cold air.
>
>TIA,
>
>Jay
>
>--
>All this relaxing is stressing me out!
>

 

I know this is a fairly old post, but before you go replacing things, check
to see if there is voltage being applied to the clutch during those times
when it is not working properly. On 1998 Cherokees (and probably Wranglers
as well) the AC Clutch relay (in the fuse box) is a particularly weak ling.
When the contacts get pitted, it can fail in either the open position OR get
stuck in the closed (ON) position. That mod eof failure usually results in a
frozen evaporator, with the cooling and airflow gradully tapering off.



James V. Curcio, Jr. wrote in message ...
>Hey all. '98 Wrangler Sport. I was experiencing intermittent A/C since
>the beginning of the summer. So, I figured after 5 years it was time
>for a recharge. I got it recharged and it blew ice cold for a few
>days. Now it's intermittent again. So, I started looking around under
>the hood and found out that when I'm not getting any cold air the
>condenser isn't cycling on and off the way it should be. My question is
>can I just replace the clutch or do I have to replace the whole
>condenser? When the clutch works and the condenser cycles, it blows
>nice cold air.
>
>TIA,
>
>Jay
>
>--
>All this relaxing is stressing me out!
>

 

I know this is a fairly old post, but before you go replacing things, check
to see if there is voltage being applied to the clutch during those times
when it is not working properly. On 1998 Cherokees (and probably Wranglers
as well) the AC Clutch relay (in the fuse box) is a particularly weak ling.
When the contacts get pitted, it can fail in either the open position OR get
stuck in the closed (ON) position. That mod eof failure usually results in a
frozen evaporator, with the cooling and airflow gradully tapering off.



James V. Curcio, Jr. wrote in message ...
>Hey all. '98 Wrangler Sport. I was experiencing intermittent A/C since
>the beginning of the summer. So, I figured after 5 years it was time
>for a recharge. I got it recharged and it blew ice cold for a few
>days. Now it's intermittent again. So, I started looking around under
>the hood and found out that when I'm not getting any cold air the
>condenser isn't cycling on and off the way it should be. My question is
>can I just replace the clutch or do I have to replace the whole
>condenser? When the clutch works and the condenser cycles, it blows
>nice cold air.
>
>TIA,
>
>Jay
>
>--
>All this relaxing is stressing me out!
>