'98 Jeep Cherokee - AC & Idle Issues

any use ?

http://cr4.globalspec.com/search/sitesearch?do=show&sort=textmatchrank&srch=jeep%20cherokee&order=asc

unfortunately not..... any more suggestions?

First of all there is not enough info, but I will try if you had to charge the AC it has a leak. Second the idle air control valve/motor may be causing it to go dead just needs cleaning. The skip could be just time for a tune up which should include a new fuel filter. Has the check engine light came on? If so have the codes read at your local auto parts store one of your choosing. good luck

Jeep is not my favourite vehicle but i will relate experience with other vehicles that may help or point you in right direction. If the airflow over your evaporator is less than it is supposed to be ( perhaps some dirt blocking inlet?) the evaporator will freeze up. This will take some time before airflow will stop. Likewise, if there are still ice on the evap when you switch AC off, it will be some time before the cold air clears and becomes ambient again.check that your fuel tank breather is not blocked, also that the return line to the tank is not blocked, it maybe that the fuel at the injectors are vapourizing with the excess heat ( ambient and engine compart ment) if it cannot get back to the tank.(continuous flow). Lubricate the airflap joints and links in the engine compartment. Sometimes they stick and when you then stop the idle flap closes too quickly and the engine managenet system tries to correct the situation, hence the splutter and death. It certainly seems like you have a fuel starvation issue here. start with the fuel flap and work your way forward. Without actually starting the engine, turn on the ignition in a quiet place. You will hear the fuel pump run and/or stop under pressure. This pressure should release slowly and the pump will come on again, or the pump run continuously. Listen for erratic sounds from the pump.(louder or quieter) I dont remember if your model already had injectors instead of carb, but if it has when last were they serviced? Excess fuel can also cause slight imperfections in the cycle. Carburettors can also leak excess fuel or lack of fuel due to dirt.

A lot of controls for heat and A-C are vacuum controlled. A vacuum leak near the firewall will cause idle problems and A-C problems.

I have a 1997 Cherokee Country and it will exhibit the same problems, except for the continuous cold air.

I can usually correct the problem, temporarily by disconnecting the battery for a while then reconnecting. I suppose this exercise resets the computer?

I remembered searing online for a fix and found the correct solution involved removing the instrument panel and cleaning the gauges electrical pin connections. I have not yet had enough incentive to do do this and currently living with a check gauges light on and a wonky oil pressure gauge.

Your inquiry peaked my curiosity again and I found this post. The Famous Jeep Cherokee Electrical problem. Post number 8 looks real interesting as it mentions all of your stated problems.

Check for a bad ground wire connection, having the gauges go to max indicates an electrical problem. Fix any dangling black wires or ground straps.

Also check the connectors on the engine - there may be one or two that have developed corrosion. (This is highly unlikely, but always worth looking at.) A cam or crank sensor may be on its way out - the vehicle is only 12 years old, and some electronic devices end their life intermittently. The hot condition points to this. I would gently pull on the wiring harnesses and see if the problem comes back.

Allen

A sticky or malfunctioning EGR valve can cause the engine symptoms you are describing.

What did you find out? Were you able to fix the problem?

Thanks guys for the suggestions. So, here it is what I found out: - The engine issue is related to the crank position sensor. Probably the conncetor is bad or the sensor itself is not working properly. I bought a code reader and kept it in my car until the fact happened. I read the code before it went away and I saw the poble. Actually it make sense, because if the crank sensor gives bad readings the rpm gage goes all over.... - For the AC I just disconnected the low pressure switch and not it does not work anymore plus also the freon is low. I ll deal with it next summer.

visually inspect the positive and negative battery cables for nicks scrapes and abrasions. It seems that the ground wire has a short or is loose at one end. Also check the positive battery cable for the same. One other thing is to check your engine ground cable (the cable that connects the engine to the body) and I think you will solve the problem...