A/C Questions

[samger2]

I have a 2000 Cherokee Sport that the A/C wasn't working on. So did a vac and recharge with the freon. Immediately after that it would squeal terribly when I first put the A/C on put would slowly diminish. It did this for a few weeks and then started blowing air that was barely cold again.

So today I pulled it in the shop at work and checked for a leak...turns out the valve core where you add the freon was leaking so I replaced that and recharged again.

And just like before immediately after I turned the A/C on it started squealing terribly and got worse upon throttle.

One of the techs and I listened and prodded around and have determined that either the compressor clutch is causing the squealing or the idler pully on the far right lower side. But given the fact that it only squeals when the A/C is on that would lead me more toward the clutch.

A) anyone have differing thoughts?

B) is there a special tool needed to remove the clutch?

C) can I even get a clutch separately or will I have to bite the bullet and purchase a new compressor?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Sam

 

[AZRockRunner]

mine doesd the same thing on my 01. However my AC blows cold as ice, so I just start the jeep without the AC engaged. Start my drive and turn it on. Only squeels for a second and then works good and quiet.
It is the compressor clutch and to my knowledge, there is not a way to replace just the clutch. So I will live with it until it dies.

 

[scottbky]

It might be the belt slipping. I had squealing after I changed the belt and the volt meter showed low. After the engine warmed up, no more squealing and volts OK. I tightened the belt, and problems went away. Now that the belt is a little stretched, I'll get a little squealing if I turn on the A/C right after starting the engine. No problems if the engine is warm, and pulleys are a little expanded. Extra drag by the A/C clutch might be enough to hold up the belt and slip over some other pulley.