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Help with Jeep Liberty AC

TN0300 on Wed May 27, 2009 7:28 PM User is offline

Year: 2002
Make: Jeep
Model: Liberty
Engine Size: 3.7
Refrigerant Type: R134a
Country of Origin: United States

I have had my AC worked on 3 times by 2 garages and still isn't fixed. The first time they filled it with refrigerant and said it was working good.A day later it blew hot air.They took it back in added dye and found a small leak in the condenser so bought a new one and refilled and it did the same thing after 30 mile. Also shortly after that replaced my radiator so when I disconnected the condenser lines I assumed there wouldn't be much pressure but was I wrong......it shot straight up it seemed like for 2 minutes.I realized now that wasn't a smart move. This happened last summer so yesterday took it to a garage which claims to specialize in AC repair. I explained all that happened before and they acted like it wouldn't be no problem. Picked it up today and all they did was added R134a and dye but ran it all day and it stayed very cold, I left and about 7 miles later started blowing warmer air and when it switched warm I kind of smelled a musty odor. He told me beforehand If I had more problems to bring it back so tomorrow I will be there early and hopefully someone on here can point me a in a different direction to have him look.I was wondering If the ac pump is going out or electrical temp switch on dash shorting out??Any help would be appreciated,Thanks. $$$$

Chick on Wed May 27, 2009 9:06 PM User is offlineView users profile

When it starts blowing hot, check to see if the compressor is engaged, might have a bad clutch gap for one thing... But it sounds like driving down the road, the compressor is shutting down, it might not do that idling in the sun... hope this helps.

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

TN0300 on Thu May 28, 2009 12:35 AM User is offline

Thanks, sounds like the clutch gap would be a lot cheaper fix. How hard is it to take off clutch plate on 02 Liberty to reach spacers?

TN0300 on Thu May 28, 2009 8:56 PM User is offline

I ran the car till it stopped blowing cool today so I pulled over and tapped the front of the clutch and it instantly re-engaged and started blowing cool air again. When I dropped it off at the garage I let the mechanic know what was going on and told him to check out the clutch gap.He said something about the coil may need to be replaced? If it doesn't get fixed the 4th time Im probably going to try and do it myself!

Cussboy on Fri May 29, 2009 9:57 AM User is offline

If the coil is bad, its resistance in ohms should be zero, or "open". If the coil were to short to ground, you'd be blowing a fuse somewhere. Could a coil operate intermittently? Possibly; it's an electromagnet which engages the compressor when energized by 12 volts. Since you tapped on the compressor disc when it wasn't engaging, and it immediately engaged, sounds more like an AC clutch problem than a coil issue, maybe shop wants to replace the coil, and in the process maybe the clutch gap would then be OK.

I had a similar issue last summer with my '88 B2200 truck, sometimes AC clutch wouldn't engage, would it I tapped it. I had two old compressor cores of same type, and since AutoZone loaner tools didn't fit mine, fabricated my own and praticed/removed clutch from spares, got ready to do in-place swap of my AC clutch (mine had access room to do in-vehicle with compressor still mounted). When I went to loosen the AC clutch bolt, guess what: it was a little loose, so all I had to do was tighten it. So maybe on your Jeep just see if that bolt can be tightened first. Don't start engine, turn AC to "on" to engage compressor (tap compressor disc to lock if you need to), and see if you can tighten that bolt. At least that's a no-cost, easy thing to try. If the gap needs adjusting, and you have clearance to try this in-car, I'd say go ahead and try.

TN0300 on Sat May 30, 2009 1:21 AM User is offline

The shop owner ordered a new clutch. He seems to think the old one is shot. I will check to see If that bolt is loose before next week...

Chick on Sat May 30, 2009 8:00 AM User is offlineView users profile

I would try removing a shim first, but thats to easy, and shops can't make much money doing that. Shame..

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

TN0300 on Sun May 31, 2009 1:58 AM User is offline

How hard is it to remove that clutch to reach the shims? I noticed one bolt and nut on the front, which by the way didnt even look like it had been messed with.....? Do Need to rent a puller?

Chick on Sun May 31, 2009 6:17 AM User is offlineView users profile

You remove that nut and the hub slides off, the shim is right there.. the below pic is a Ford, but the principle is the same.. Hope this helps.



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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

TN0300 on Mon June 01, 2009 12:35 AM User is offline

Chick,
Wow that seems easier than I Thought! I don't know why I kept thinking a puller was needed. I will give it a try tomorrow. The dealership ordered the knew clutch, since I get a 25% discount I'm probably going to buy it for a spare but If all go's well that shop won't be getting any Labor pay. I can't complain to much about the old Jeep with 195,000 miles the AC and radiator has been the only major problems. Thanks again!

TN0300 on Mon June 01, 2009 11:14 AM User is offline

Well I took the clutch plate off last night and seen 1 shim but it sounded like I heard another fell off but was never able to locate so reassembled. Maybe the shop actually took one off but If I was was to bet, it probably fell. Anyway the first test it ran GREAT!I'm going to try it today because its going to be 90 degrees. Didn't have to much problems but couldn't find a good way to secure down the clutch plate so resorted to vice grips. Was afraid that might bend it out of shape. How should I secured it?? Thanks again for all the good advice.

TN0300 on Mon June 01, 2009 11:49 PM User is offline

Drove it a couple hours and the AC worked fine. Thanks again Chick,Cussboy! Would recommend this forum and Arizona Mobile Air Inc. for anyone with AC problems.

Chick on Tue June 02, 2009 7:49 AM User is offlineView users profile

Glad we could help......

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Chick
Email: Chick

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Freedoms just another word for nothing left to lose

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