Ok here's the situation:
My Cherokee (1996 4.0L, 4x2, AW4 Auto, 138k)
At one point earlier this year my A/C worked ok but not great. One day i flicked the A/C on heard the click or the compressor coming on then after 5 minutes the compressor clicked off not to turn on again for the entire trip. The next morning I came out started the car to drive to work and the same thing happened, after 5 minutes more or less the a/c clicks off not to turn on again for a few hours.
After searching this site I found someone else with the same problem though they didn't post if they solved it or not. here the link:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1037000
***I did msg the OP in that post but have not gotten a response yet***
I decided to place a gauge on the low port (don't have a gauge that will connect to high port) and track the pressure as the A/C went from cold start A/C on to A/C shutting down. Ambient temp in my garage during test (89 +/- 3 because of the fans)
Engine off - A/C off = 75psi
Engine on - A/C off = 75psi
Engine on - A/C on = 35 (peaked at 47 then leveled out to 35)
Engine on -A/C fail = 40 psi (would likely head back up to 75)
At one point the low pressure was well above 50 psi but I let a bit of gas out to lower the pressure. (the gas release was less than 1.5 seconds worth when i pressed the valve in the fitting)
I jumped the clutch wire to + 12v and the clutch engages hot or cold. I jumped the switch connected dryer (i think) below the compressor and it didn't change anything. I also removed the shims behind the magnetic plate. The compressor pulley spins cleanly and the compressor spins with out snags. When the clutch is activated the cabin temp is quite cold.
So my questions are:
Where are the High & Low pressure switches for sure on the 1996?
If this is a heat related problem where do i start?
Any new ideas it's hella hot in central florida and A/C is important to me.
My Cherokee (1996 4.0L, 4x2, AW4 Auto, 138k)
At one point earlier this year my A/C worked ok but not great. One day i flicked the A/C on heard the click or the compressor coming on then after 5 minutes the compressor clicked off not to turn on again for the entire trip. The next morning I came out started the car to drive to work and the same thing happened, after 5 minutes more or less the a/c clicks off not to turn on again for a few hours.
After searching this site I found someone else with the same problem though they didn't post if they solved it or not. here the link:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1037000
***I did msg the OP in that post but have not gotten a response yet***
I decided to place a gauge on the low port (don't have a gauge that will connect to high port) and track the pressure as the A/C went from cold start A/C on to A/C shutting down. Ambient temp in my garage during test (89 +/- 3 because of the fans)
Engine off - A/C off = 75psi
Engine on - A/C off = 75psi
Engine on - A/C on = 35 (peaked at 47 then leveled out to 35)
Engine on -A/C fail = 40 psi (would likely head back up to 75)
At one point the low pressure was well above 50 psi but I let a bit of gas out to lower the pressure. (the gas release was less than 1.5 seconds worth when i pressed the valve in the fitting)
I jumped the clutch wire to + 12v and the clutch engages hot or cold. I jumped the switch connected dryer (i think) below the compressor and it didn't change anything. I also removed the shims behind the magnetic plate. The compressor pulley spins cleanly and the compressor spins with out snags. When the clutch is activated the cabin temp is quite cold.
So my questions are:
Where are the High & Low pressure switches for sure on the 1996?
If this is a heat related problem where do i start?
Any new ideas it's hella hot in central florida and A/C is important to me.