Summer’s here and the time is perfect for road trips in air conditioned comfort. Here’s everything you need to know to spot and fix faulty A/C systems in a Jeep Cherokee. (Updated 2021)
Whether you just love the look of the Jeep Cherokee or you intend to take full advantage of the vehicle’s ability to handle tough terrain, you’re doing the right thing by taking the time to make sure that your Cherokee is ready for summer road trips.
Many Jeep Cherokee owners have reported problems with the air conditioning system, which can make it hard to enjoy time in your vehicle, especially on hot summer days. Even worse is trying to enjoy a nice weekend road trip only to find out that your Jeep’s air conditioner is spitting out hot air.
If you find yourself with a Jeep Cherokee with a faulty air conditioner, the first thing you’ll want to know is how to troubleshoot exactly what the issue is that’s causing your A/C problem.
Of course, Jeep enthusiast community forums, like Cherokee Forum, are great sources to find out what other Cherokee owners are saying about their A/C issues and how to resolve them.
The website It Still Runs did a great job of highlighting common issues to look for should you experience A/C problems in your Jeep Cherokee. The five-step approach should have you feeling the cool air soon.
Plus, we share other options below so you can enjoy the coolest summer ever in your Jeep Cherokee.
If you have a Jeep Cherokee, Compass, or Renegade and your air conditioning does not work, YouTuber host of World Mechanics shares “seven reasons why your A/C doesn’t work.”
“If your A/C does not work and blows hot air instead of cold air on a Jeep Cherokee, Compass, or Renegade with a 2.4 multiair engine, we will explain what can cause that and how to fix it,” he promises in the clip before getting his hands dirty getting the project done.
“It is very frustrating to find out that your A/C does not work or blows hot air, and you do not know where to start and how to fix that problem.
“Reason number one,” he continues, “is being low on freon. If the vehicle is older than eight years old or so, even six years old, I’ve seen that happen. Or the compressor can develop a leak, or maybe the lines have opened seals that can develop a slow leak over time, so that needs to be addressed.”
Check out the World Mechanic video above to see the other six tips he shares to help fix your Cherokee’s air conditioning problem.
In YouTuber Omega Greed’s video titled “Jeep Grand Cherokee AC Fix Fail,” OG is trying to fix his 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s air conditioning, which has stopped working.
It’s something he expected was coming when he bought the used car, but he’s not going to let it stop him from enjoying the car. And he’s sharing how he resolved the problem of his Cherokee’s air conditioning blowing out warm air…
“The whole reason why I got this vehicle for so cheap is because there were a couple things that were going on with it,” says the host, who also runs the Geeks with Cars blog. “One: The A/C is basically out. It’s pumping out like super-lukewarm air…”
Whether he was successful or not is in question even by the video host. But the process he runs through is what you need to know to recharge your Cherokee A/C system. And he says he did the project for around $40.
“I went and bought a new A/C refrigerant fixer for the AC compression in the Jeep but it didn’t seem to fix my issues,” he explains.
“It seems as if the AC had pressure in it already. I added more AC refrigerant to the car AC system but that didn’t seem to work either. It was worth a try, now that I know that didn’t work I’m checking the fuses in the car along with seeing if I had a leak somewhere in the system.”
Are there Common Issues With the Air Conditioning System in the Jeep Cherokee?
Many drivers report air conditioning system problems in the Jeep Cherokee.
Issues include:
- Faulty cooling fans
- AC settings continually reset
- AC system interacts inappropriately with gear shift
- Air conditioning suction/ discharge hose split
- Mold odor coming from AC system
Luckily, we’ll go over these issues in detail here, helping you decide whether the Jeep Cherokee might be a good fit for you. Learning more about common vehicle issues is a great way to get a sense of what to expect when you’re thinking about purchasing a new vehicle.
How Does the Jeep Cherokee Air Conditioning System Work?
Air conditioning systems in vehicles have many working parts, and it’s key that all of these parts work together to create a seamless, comfortable air conditioning experience for the driver and passengers.
Take a look at how a vehicle’s air conditioning system functions in this video by AC Avalanche.
Many problems with vehicle air conditioning systems are due to leaks, and they can be fixed easily. Clogged tubes and failed air conditioning blower motors can also be at fault. Now, we’ll take a look at the common issues that drivers have with their Jeep Cherokee air conditioning systems.
Five Common Problems with the Jeep Cherokee Air Conditioning System
1. Faulty Cooling Fans
Some Jeep Cherokee owners mention that the system does not blow air efficiently. This is often related to a faulty cooling fan. A mechanic can inspect the AC system and replace the cooling fan to solve the problem.
2. AC Settings Continually Reset
Some drivers have experienced their Jeep Cherokee air conditioning settings resetting randomly. For most drivers, this is simply an annoyance. A mechanic can inspect the air conditioning and electrical systems and replace responsible components. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Complaint ID for this problem is 11286884.
3. AC System Interacts Inappropriately with Electrical Components
Some Cherokee owners have reported that when the air conditioning is on, electrical aspects of the vehicle fail to work correctly. A few complaints state that all of the gears on the shifter light up at the same time, while others report that the vehicle’s infotainment system malfunctions.
While this issue may simply be an annoyance, both issues can be distracting. The distraction can cause the driver to lose focus on the road, which can increase the likelihood of a crash.
For this issue to be fixed, it’s essential for a mechanic to inspect both the A/C and the electrical system to find the root cause of the problem. The NHTSA Complaint ID for this issue is 11208641.
4. Air Conditioning Suction/ Discharge Hose May Split
This issue can cause a sudden loss of air conditioning while the vehicle is in motion. Jeep issued a recall for some vehicles that experienced this problem, but some vehicle owners whose VIN was not included in the recall have experienced this issue as well.
To fix this issue, your mechanic can inspect the air conditioning system and replace the suction/discharge hose if necessary. The NHTSA Complaint ID is 11207299.
5. Mold Odor Coming from AC System
Some Jeep Cherokee owners notice a mold odor coming from the HVAC system whenever the air conditioning or heating components are activated. While this is likely not a safety issue, it’s an unpleasant problem that needs to be fixed.
A mechanic can dismantle the AC system and find the source of the odor to fix the problem. The NHTSA Complaint ID is 10926205.
Photos: Jeep; Deposit Photos
