Sonny Boy's 94 Cherokee Has Marginal A/C

[McCann]

Well,

Here I am again.

Sonny Boy's 94 (6cyl) Cherokee is only blowing marginal cold air. I haven't had to add freon since they changed the law so I am a bit ignorant...(unless you ask my wife...then I am a lot ignorant).

Is it even possible to get what I need at the parts store or am I forced to go to a shop?

Also, the Fan control feels like it has 4 settings but only Hi and Low do anything and Low is marginal at best. How many settings are there supposed to be and is there an easy tear out and fix or is it a replace the whole control panel? If that is the case...where do you get it from? (Please don't make me go to the stealer!)

Thanks again...Mike McCann

[dave92cherokee]

The conversion parts you need to convert it from the old r12 to r134a can be bought at a parts store along with everything needed to fill the system. However unless you are a licensed mechanic to work with the refrigrant then the EPA can come down on you hard for not disposing of it correctly. When dealing with a refrigrant change like you are it's best to take it to a shop and let them deal with the hassle of changing and refilling the system. As for the a/c control unit to remove it (if it's like my 92 sport) remove the plastic bezel piece that goes around it and the radio and the guages and there will be a couple of screws that hold it in. Remove the screws and pull it out and disconnect the two electrical connectors from the back and using a flathead screwdriver you can disconnect the vaccum lines on the back as well then disconnect the steel cable that goes down to the door assembly. Alot of times it's the switch that selects it that goes out mine only works on low and nothing else.

[AlohaBra]

On a 94, are you sure you have R12? Some old shop might still have some, I just gave mine away.

For the fan speed, check the resistor first, it is on the fan housing and is easier to get to.

[Saudade]

R12 is still pretty plentiful, just expensive. You need to be certified by the EPA to purchase R12. You can find R12 all over eBay. Funny thing is you can get a EPA cert for $15 online.

http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/609/.../609certs.html

[fredjacksonsan]

IMO it's easier to just use the retrofit and change to R134. The kit and the cans of refrigerant will run you under $20 at the auto parts store and it takes only about 10-15 minutes to do the job. The last kit I bought and used had instructions inside which made it a very easy job to do.

[McCann]

Thanks for the info...I will (once again) head to Auto Zone...it is kinda scary...they know me by my first name down there these days...and they even have named one of the register's after me....scary.

The retrofit is probably the way to go...Mike

[fredjacksonsan]

I've done the retro on several vehicles, and they all worked fine after that.

Funny that the guys at the auto parts store know you......I've had vehicles that got me in the same situation!!

[Saudade]

Technically speaking, you still need to be "certified" to service your a/c system regardless of the refrigerant (not that this has ever stopped someone). You don't need to be certified to purchase R134a.

[fredjacksonsan]

Hmmm...yeah, isn't that to scavenge the remaining R12 though? If it's all leaked out already then surely you can put some of that environmentally safe 134 in there, right?

[Saudade]

It's partly to prevent release of any refrigerant, CFC or HFC based into the atmosphere. If all of the refrigerant has leaked out, you should consider getting it serviced professionally. Once depressurized, air and moisture can enter the system. If the moisture remains, it can screw the system up real quick. Part of the service is to pull a stong vacuum. This makes most of moisture boil off. The dessicant can then take care of the rest.

[sector95]

Take a look under the hood for a decal specifying what the A/C system is charged with.... look on the A/C compressor, the radiator support/fan shroud or back on the firewall. I'm pretty sure most '94 vehicles were coming from the factory with the R134 refrigerant..... had a '94 S10 and it was charged with the R134....but then if the Jeep was made in '93 as a '94 model......

IMHO, if your system is filled with R12, I'd stick with it. The stuff is way much better at making *cold* air than the R134 being used as a replacement. R12 is available but pricey....but you may not really need all that much to bring your system up to snuff so the total cost of the refrigerant might not be that bad. Take your Jeep to a reputable shop that specializes in A/C servicing; have them do a complete system check (which will include a leak check).

mike
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