AC compressor clutch-Jeep

[Grim 82]

I recently picked up a Jeep to drive around while I finish the truck, and it's having some issues with the air conditioning.

1997 Cherokee Sport  (XJ)
4.0L, auto

Upon startup, the AC blows cold and works great for about 20 minutes and then it starts blowing warm air and the clutch doesn't engage. This may or may not be related, but the blower fan only spins on the lowest and the highest settings, which I am guessing is just the resistor.

Shop A says the levels and pressures are good, it just needs a new compressor, and quoted me $800 for a compressor that O'reillys has on the shelf for $220, plus labor. No thanks

Shop B says the levels and pressures are good, it just needs the clutch, not the whole compressor, but you can't get that piece seperately, so $550 parts & labor to R&R the compressor and do whatever else to make it work again.

Seasoned mechanic neighbor agrees it's just the clutch, and that I should be able to find one and replace just that component and be able to fix it myself. Even if that means removing a new clutch from a new compressor and installing it on the old compressor, if it works I would be money ahead.

Anybody ever replace just the clutch? Other thoughts and diagnostics are welcome also. Thanks

[zieg85]

I can confirm your symptoms with my wife's previous 2005 Mercury Sable.  It just needed a clutch as the pressures were fine as my brother in law evacuated the system and it had the exact amount that it was supposed to.  I let Ford take care of it, it was expensive but the compressor was buried down low and I didn't have the tools to fix it anyway.  My pulley was wobbling and it was just a matter of time and the serpentine belt would have come off

[Edahall]

Most likely the coil is going bad.  This is a common problem on Chrysler products.  However, it might be best to not just replace the coil but replace the clutch coil assembly.

[VileZambonie]

When it stops working, go to the connector at the compressor and see if it's energized by using a test light. If the test light is illuminated then check the clutch coil with a meter. If it's open then you need a new compressor. If it's not energized check the pressure transducer. If it's the compressor you can find a used one on ebay cheap. I even have a spare in my garage (I think) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/97-98-99-00-01-JEEP-CHEROKEE-AC-COMPRESSOR-4-0L-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQfitsZMakeQ3aJeepQQhashZitem4aad1c39f3QQitemZ320731888115QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[Blazin]

We replace clutches on AC compresors all the time. Most medium, and heavy duty trucks run Sandin compresors. But we have done a few clutches on other brands as well.

[Grim 82]

Thanks for the replies. I haven't gotten around to checking what Vile suggested yet, and yes Blazin it is a sanden compressor. I was on a longer trip with it today and the compressor has started making horrible whining noises and clattering like a bearing is about to explode, even with the AC off, so I'm probably going to just go ahead and buy the whole compressor. I found out that a buddy of mine that works in the shop for a trucking company works on AC on their tractors, and he thinks he should be able to help me out with the evac and recharge on it. Thanks again everybody.