How to Retrofit Air Conditioning in a Jeep Grand Cherokee

Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs manufactured in or before 1995 use R12 refrigerant. You must retrofit these SUVs to accept R134 refrigerant using a retrofit kit available at your local auto parts store before you can recharge the system. In some areas, a license is required to retrofit an air conditioning system. If this is the case in your area, take your Jeep to a professional to retrofit the system.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Towel
• Retrofit kit
• Wrench
• Marker

1. Take your SUV to a mechanic to recover the R12 refrigerant out of the air conditioning system. A license and special equipment are needed to do this. Because R12 refrigerant is expensive, many mechanics will do the job for free.

2. Locate the Low Pressure Side connector port. You will find it on the driver's side of the engine. Remove the blue or yellow cap marked L. You only need to retrofit the system if you see a screw-type connector valve. If you see a quick connect valve, the system already is R134 compatible. Wipe the connector valve off with a clean towel. This ensures that the retrofit connector properly adheres to the valve.

3. Place the long retrofit connector from the automotive retrofit kit onto the Low Pressure Side valve. The retrofit connector has a special adhesive on the threads that will help it adhere to the valve. Screw the connector onto the valve. Tighten the retrofit connector using an adjustable wrench. Place the cap provided in the retrofit kit onto the retrofit connector. This keeps dust out of the system.

4. Follow the air conditioning lines away from the compressor until you see the High Pressure Side port valve. This is located near the Low Pressure Side service port. Remove the red cap and wipe the port off with a towel.

5. Put the shorter adapter onto the port. Twist it using an adjustable wrench until it is securely fastened to the port. Place the red cap from the retrofit kit onto the adaptor.

6. Fill out the Retrofit Identification sticker provided in the retrofit kit using a permanent marker. Remove the protective backing and place it on the interior side of the hood. This lets future owners and service professionals know that the system has been retrofitted.

7. Recharge the air conditioning system. See the related eHow titled "How to Recharge Air Conditioning with Freon in a Jeep Grand Cherokee."

Tips & Warnings

• Never try to evacuate the system yourself. A license and special equipment is needed to evacuate the system. Attempting to do this yourself will release refrigerant into the air, which is a federal crime.

Who Can Help Sponsored