1996 A/C problem

I am new to the forum and glad to have found it.
I just purchased a 1996 Cherokee to use on my Paper Route of 400 customers and after getting it home went to checking some things and found the A/C compressor not kicking on when in A/C mode or in defrost mode.

I checked all the relays and fuses with ohm meter and found no open circuits.

I unplugged the A/C unit out by the A/C and jumped a hot wire from battery to it and it started working fine.

Does this indicate maybe low R134 in system to keep compressor from kicking on?

Once I had it kicked on, it cooled good but the oil in site glass had a foamy look to it.
Is this another low indicator?

update:
Just added 1 can of R134 to system and still no compressor kick on.

I can hook hot wire up to plug at rear of compressor and it will come on and cool. :banghead:

Hi,

Sounds like a problem between the climate control head and the compressor. This could include, but is not limited to, Control head, ECU, Low Pressure Cutoff switch (LPC), High pressure cutoff switch, wiring, etc.

You stated that you added an entire can of R-134a to the system. NEVER add refrigerant blindly without proper gauges. At this point it is VERY important that you either get a good set of gauges and charge the system properly or take it to a qualified shop. A/C systems run under high pressure and can cause serious injury to you or the Jeep if not worked on properly.

-Nick

Thanks Nick.
Although I have worked on automobiles the last few years, I am not an a/c person for sure and plan on taking it to a professional in the spring, cause a/c weather is just about over in Kentucky for this year.
Lester

hey im an hvac/r guy and if u say Once I had it kicked on, it cooled good but the oil in site glass had a foamy look to it.
Is this another low indicator? well foamy is when water mixes with oil witch could mean u have an leak but yes NEVER ADD OR TAKE OUT refrigerant this is real bad 1 u could of add more water to the system 2 what nick said is right or could be right even with an set of 134 gauges do u know the running press the right charge do u have an pt chart and would u know what u c on the gauges if u had them well i would say take it to some1 who knows what there doing i had an friend who said o i know what im doing then he couldnt start his jeep bc of this the comp locked and i had to go take it out recover all the refrigerant so plz liek u said take it to some1 who knows what there doing and u do ues ur comp in the winter too