Hello all, I just bought a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limites 2WD from my brother in law. When I first bought it there was a squeal in it when I turned it on for the first five minutes or so, and then It would shut up. So I figured if I replaced the belt that the squeal would stop. So after replacing the belt, it squeals worse then ever. If the A/C is on that is. If I turn the A/C off then I have minimal squeal for a couple of seconds and then it quits. A couple of mechanics have told me that I need to replace the A/C compressor because this is what seems to be causing the issue. Well, an A/C compressor change is going to cost me about $600 bucks, and that is money that I am not ready to spend. I have tried everything, belt dressing, gatorade, soap, WD-40, grease, and even taking the belt off and sanding down the A/C wheel. Does anyone have any suggestions? The A/C works fine, it just squeals when it's on.

Guess I'll get 460 A/C.

:iceslolan

Hello all, I just bought a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limites 2WD from my brother in law. When I first bought it there was a squeal in it when I turned it on for the first five minutes or so, and then It would shut up. So I figured if I replaced the belt that the squeal would stop. So after replacing the belt, it squeals worse then ever. If the A/C is on that is. If I turn the A/C off then I have minimal squeal for a couple of seconds and then it quits. A couple of mechanics have told me that I need to replace the A/C compressor because this is what seems to be causing the issue. Well, an A/C compressor change is going to cost me about $600 bucks, and that is money that I am not ready to spend. I have tried everything, belt dressing, gatorade, soap, WD-40, grease, and even taking the belt off and sanding down the A/C wheel. Does anyone have any suggestions? The A/C works fine, it just squeals when it's on.

Guess I'll get 460 A/C.



:iceslolan

I had the same problem. It's your compressor. But don't worry! You won't have to replace the system. I even replaced the serpentine belt too on my Jeep and it still squealed when the compressor turned on. There is an oil at your local auto parts store that is with the A/C recharging kit and what not that you can add to your A/C that will lube up and clean out any old oil or debris inside the compressor. I can't remember what the oil is called but I added to my 98 Laredo 4x4 and it worked instantly and I never had a problems again. You just add it where you add refrigerant for the A/C.

from your descirption I don't think it's the compressor, the clutches in the compressor can squeal when they start to go bad or get gunked up inside like 77 mentioned above. but why would it continue to queal after the clutches are disengaged.

I think it is still the belt that is squealing and when the clutches are engaged it puts more restriction on the belt so it tends to slip a bit. make sure the belt it adjusted properly (4.0L engines) or make sure the tensioner has plenty of spring tension to it (5.2L engines). You may want to replace the belt again with a goodyear gatorback belt if you didn't use on the first time. I had an issue with this on my old jeep, the belt broke on me right in front of a GM garage so I went into their parts department and got a belt which was the same size as mine (a hair shorter, but mine was prolly stretched pretty good) it also had 1 less rib then mine but that was fine, i put it on and it fit fine worked good, well every morning when I would start the jeep the belt would squeal for about 10 minutes or so. well after about a week or two I went to autozone and got a new belt the right one thinking that the belt was squealing because of it having 1 less rib, replaced it and still squealed in the morning, I opted out of getting the gatorback because of the price difference, well replaced it one more time with a dayco brand still didn't help. by this time the squealing was starting to get annoying everytime I pull up to a stop sign everyone would look at me and my jeep. So I decided to go ahead and pay the extra money for the gatorback and never had a problem with squealing again.

I tried what sreilly77 said above. I went to the auto parts store and let him read your description of the product :). Hope you don't mind! I put that in and it seemed to fix the problem for a little bit. However, after I let her sit for two hours and started her back up. She squealed really loud. Anyway, I bought a remanufactured compressor, and I'm having a buddy install it, and then I will go to a shop or have another guy recharge it. Anyway, I saved $300 bucks by not going to the shop. I appreciate the help.