Weak air flow

STEELERDYNASTY

MEMBER
2002 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
4.0L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
186,750 MILES

So what are your possible "non-dash-pulling" ideas, fixes, etc?

Hot works, so does cold. A/C never the coldest I have ever felt, but it feels that way even when full of refrigerant too.

basically the air flow runs the best out of the driver's side center vent, and a variation of weaker on any of the other vents.

Where does my fun begin?

3 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,757 POSTS

There are a lot of possible causes and could very well be a combination of them. The motor could be old and tired, the evaporator fins could be clogged up with pet hair or other debris or all the foam seals throughout the HVAC housing could be all deteriorated and the force or air is escaping through all the poor seals behind the dash. The mode doors could also not be switching correctly and directing the air through other vents. With the age and mileage you need to decide just how far you are willing to go on this because the results could be minimal on any single repair. You could probably pull the blower motor out and visually inspect whether the evap fin are clogged up or not.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, March 31st, 2018 AT 8:39 AM

STEELERDYNASTY

MEMBER
50 POSTS

I will start with the blower motor removal and check the EVAP fins. Sounds like an easy enough place to start. I put some dye in the system recently to check for leaks, would I be able to detect an EVAP core leak while checking the fins? I have a black light. It is not leaking anywhere under the hood.
I have a good mechanic who will pull the dash and diagnose for $500.00 as long as I assist. I got the car for cheap and I am doing most of the work myself (i may even skip the mechanic and do the dash myself, but then what?). So I do not mind spending a little money. I suspect leaves and debris are strewn throughout, as I occasionally get some to blow out of the dash if it is on high when I start the car. I also blew out the drain hole under the hood and water came streaming out for what seemed like five seconds.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, March 31st, 2018 AT 10:14 AM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,757 POSTS

Those leaves have to make it through the evaporator before they can come out the vents. You will be able to see a portion of one side of the evaporator and you may even need a mirror for that so you may see some dye but probably not. If all the foam has deteriorated, there is not much you can do about it beside replacing the whole box. They also had a big problem with the doors themselves breaking.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, March 31st, 2018 AT 10:49 AM