2002 jeep a/c problem (buy, living in, cost)

[2002Jeepowner]

My 2002 Jeep Cherokee quit blowing cold air. I took to local auto shop and they put on a new fan relay and charged $300.00. I left the shop and the A/C was still blowing hot air. I returned to the shop and asked to have it looked at again. I received a call today that the evaporator coil needed replaced and that would be another $900.00. I understand that involves taking the complete dash out and then reassembly, plus part. When I spoke to the auto shop this morning, I asked if they had actually turned on A/C and tested before I was told to pick up the vehicle the first time $300.00. I was told that I was calling them a lair, that her husband did check A/C. If they had checked the A/C after the fan relay switch had been installed and it still did not work, she should have not called me and said the Jeep is fixed, the bill is $300.00 and come pick it up. I did pick up my Jeep today. Can anybody recommend a good mechanic or an idea of where I should go next.

[Brucifer]

How come you didn't try the A/C before you left the shop?

I'm taking it you are in the NO area for shop suggestions.

[Joe33]

Usually when the shop is stupid and they replace the compressor relay. The real problem is most probably the compressor clutch. They get worn.

After the guy replaced the relay it probably did work until the clutch got warm and expanded. Then the clearances were too great and the compressor stopped. Very common problem on Jeeps of that age.

If you find a good shop they will just replace the clutch however most shops will want to replace the entire compressor.

[dhenry]

I took my 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan to my mechanic (Park Place on Tchoup) and he declined to take my money. He said the compressor was likely out, and that in all the job could cost me up to $2300. He said they generally don't work on older a/c like mine b/c of the chance of daisy-chain failures after the initial repair. He did recommend a place if I wanted to try and get a cheaper quote, but it does sound like that's kind of a kill-shot for cars our vintage.

And yes, he did say my compressor clutch was likely bad too. It makes a horrific groaning noise when the engine is running.

[waitingtundra]

Sumtimes it's hardly anything other times it's a mess. U need a set of ac gauges to get started, never ever buy and put stop leak anything in a ac, why many mechanics refuse to work on ac's. Once that junk gets in a newer system it's over. Hook up the gauges to the high and low side and see what kinda charge u have. U can get a good idea, off the internet by looking at the gauges as to whats wrong w/your ac, let google be your friend. If u have no charge add a few cans of green dye refrigerant, oh yea, make darn sure u know what ure doing or u could blow the can of refrigerant up like a hang grenade. The green die will find ure leak. AS said before, if ure not sure, leave it alone, but it's really not that hard, why I know, because everytime I ever brought my ac to be worked on by any mechanic I was ALWAYS ripped off, and living in this heater box just taught myself how to work on them. You gota do ure homework and get tools, and a vacuum pump, harbor greight has a good one for bout 150$'s. GOOD LUCK AND STAY OUT OF DA HEAT!

[waitingtundra]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...26130881,d.eWE Start here, lol. compressors about 200 bucks