Defeated! Can’t fix THIS! Jeep Grand Cherokee!

[@jaypeeztabernac851]

I'm not even a mechanic and when he said the dreaded line "pull apart the dash" I ran away screaming in terror....

[@armchair_mechanic]

As would we all...

[@imagseer]

@@armchair_mechanic ... and should! 5 hours of labor taking apart and reassembling to replace a tiny part up behind the dash is not uncommon. Evil manufacturers seem to delight in putting parts that break or burn out often in the most inaccessible positions! Or perhaps they expect cars to be scrapped after the warranty runs out today?

[@NeoAndersonReloaded]

Planned obsolescence

[@hirisk761]

$20 part $2000 in labor!

[@buffalomerkis7603]

It’s a terrible thing, my car has a leak that causes rain to wash in if it’s parked facing up hill. Not worth the time to pull the dash apart to resolve it, also being in the uk we only get 2 to 3 weeks of ridiculously hot weather, so I just crack a window open.

[@MultiMightyQuinn]

Tear apart the dash is code for "Buy a new car". You are a brave man, and incredibly impressed at how well you get things to fit back together. Out of your many, many talents your ability to keep the interior looking new is probably one of the more impressive. Thanks for bringing us along with you! Always interesting to get to watch over the shoulder of a professional.

[@keithjones894]

Especially in a Chrysler product 🤣🤣 those dashes just love to crumble as to touch them!!!

[@cengeb]

I took dash off on a 98 vw passat...slick..the replace heater core popped a leak after to 24 years,got it in dash and all...slick how stuff fits wiring harnesses just right snap in place. Everything worked when back together..learning experience

[@dunebasher1971]

@@keithjones894 The Grand Cherokee ZJ dash is unbelievably easy to remove to access the HVAC box. You don't have to completely remove it, you can pivot it away from the firewall on the passenger side. Literally takes 12 bolts, 12 screws and unplugging some bits in the passenger kick panel, you don't have to disconnect anything on the driver side or the centre of the dash. Once you know where all the fasteners are, you can do it from a standing start in 45min.

[@keithjones894]

@dunebasher1971 oh that's cool! Some dashes are insane. The 2010-2015 f-series dashes are stupid easy too. Even with having to pull it all the way out. I can have the dash out of those in about 30 minutes.

[@Fevebblefester]

Back in the middle 90’s I made the worst auto purchase of my life so far. I bought a 1988 Eagle Premier. In the middle of winter the heater core failed. I hired a shop to do it after having several shops decline the job. Apparently the heater core was the first item placed on the assembly line and the car built around it. It took the shop 3 days and almost $800 to replace the core and related parts. I sympathize with Ray on this.

[@thewausaudude]

I had my dash apart last summer to replace the blend actuator. It sat on top of the hvac box behind an airbag and the firewall curved up around it. As a DIYer it was one of the more daunting tasks I’ve done, but I fixed it and even managed to have no stray screws left over at the end.

[@christinamoneyhan5688]

You have a lot of tenacity to tackle the dash board. I saw on a Chevy truck certain years that it is a 2300$ job. Don’t know about other makes or models.👍👍👍👍👍

[@watchingdanny]

Imagine a world where all technicians were as methodical as you are Ray. And on top of that completely honest and transparent with the public videography. That would truly be an awesome place to own vehicles.

[@RememberItsNot4Sale]

Pinned!

[@jamesskilton9379]

The blend flaps are common to break. The flaps were change from plastic to metal. I used to change loads of them. Plus check the wiring in from door shut. The earth wire was common to break in there causing the heater control to work the opposite way. So hot setting was cold and cold setting was hot.

[@ep5796]

Ray how you doing. This is another comment on the HVACR. Not to get technical but remember your education on thermodynamics. In the HVACR world thermodynamics means a lot. Like the law that says heat can neither be created nor restored it can only be moved from a place where it is not wanted to a place that makes no difference. The reason I state that is when you have the doors open or the windows down as you're trying to condition the space inside the vehicle, that unit was sized to cool the space inside the vehicle not the space inside your shop, and not the outside ambient air temperature. So if you close the windows then that system sized for the inside of the vehicle will have a better chance at bringing the temperatures down so that when you check pressures they will be where you want them to be. Think of it this way in your home the HVAC system is sized for the BTUs in your home so if you want to bring the temperature down you close the doors and the windows. Eventually if the system is working properly it will bring the temperature down in your home. But it won't do so if the windows and doors are open it's trying to condition the entire outdoor world and it never will. Another law heat is always attracted to a cooler medium. So let's say the indoor temperatures of the vehicle is cooler which it would be with the AC on, with the windows open the heat outside the vehicle is attracted inside the vehicle. Just a heads up I'm no professional you do a great job I just thought I'd let you ponder that in your mind for a second. Peace out have a good day say hi to family

[@moustick2025]

Your repair are always useful, you are like a tutorial for every one you are doing. Keep the good work.

[@richarddouchkov9453]

First comment from Aus. Hi all. Ray, you are the 'Dr house' of mechanics. There seems to be quite often a secret back story that needs to be uncovered. So often you seem to be repairing someone else's mistakes. Your diligence and problem solving ability never ceases to amaze me.

[@tonyperry6467]

.

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

Gu-Day, mate!

[@ragnardanneskjold7675]

It's not Lupus.

[@legionofanon]

@@ragnardanneskjold7675 I thought it always was Lupus

[@MrMattDat]

Great job Ray and quite the eagle eye in spotting that earlier work! A lesser mechanic would not have noticed!

[@stevenschnelz6944]

I agree that Ray is great but the actuator being loose was a pretty good clue.

[@Roberts-Auto-Repair]

Hey Ray they do make a repair kit to fix that door with out removing the dash. Had to put one in my jeep.

[@Nunyabiz74]

I had a 2002 like this one 4.7 HO like you I fought this same problem. Ended up ripping the dash out wasn’t as bad as it looked. I had replaced everything else in the ac system only to find that it was the heater core all along. Good luck.

[@bubbabags5047]

FIxed my 2009 Jeep blend door with a cheap Doorman repair kit from Amazon. May not be very professional but only took about 20 minutes and saved a ton of money. Still working after 2 years... Good luck. Jeeps are fun lol

[@Torsee]

Wow! Belt wirlling! Fan wirilling! Spooky dangerous! Love it!

[@suemurray286]

Yep. Minute I saw what was going on (been there) simply said go ahead, pull out the dash. Fix it. That's how much I appreciated my Grand Cherokee Ltd. Lived in mountains, that Jeep handled everything I put it through. finally had to "put it down" after 400K miles. The memories of off roading with it remain with me always. Wish I had another. Mine was a 1999.

[@bearpuf]

Very impressive Ray. Thank you for sharing your superbly clear diagnostic detective work. Tracking down the problem reveals more than one issue here. To be able to watch you journey through the steps is fascinating.

[@jeffdriver3000]

I did many HVAC repairs that required pulling the dash to access and remove the HVAC box when I worked at a Dodge dealership

[@shannonharris]

Haven't even finished the video yet and a couple of things reminded me of my wrenching days... 1. Love the "remove before flight" on the temp gauge, those are easy to forget and leave behind... You should get a few with that says "Return to Ray for discount on your next AC service" #2 🤣 the portable fan in front of the condenser to sim driving down the road... On my tool cart, I got an old furnace fan bolted to it to position just right and do the same... And it works well on those summer sweaty days to cool u off while working on hot cars! THEY REALLY MOVE SOME AIR!

[@richardwarnock2789]

Sad the air control flaps gone Kaputz !

[@rickstone5071]

Great diagnosis keep up the good work we need more honest mechanics like you

[@garyyamashita8421]

Hey Mr. Ray, noticed something "special" under the Jeep. Glad you are using it and glad you still have it. Take care

[@legionofanon]

Oh goodie, now Ray has scammers in his chat too

[@K.Kelly87]

@@legionofanon I think he was referring to the floor mat that Ray uses to not lay on the dirty floor?????

[@1967_RS-SS]

Good job Ray.

[@Blitz6804]

19:35 More power to you, Ray... any time I need to get close to a spinning fan, it freaks me out quite a bit. I fear finger tips flying off.

[@dopiaza2006]

I just love those bass/treble sliders- take me back to a happy place!

[@donaldhalls2189]

That would be another complete system by the time it's all repaired, not cheap even second hand, thanks for sharing, all the best to you and your loved ones. And don't forget have yourself a great day

[@kevnski3snrs]

out comes the seats. out comes the center console. out comes the steering column, may as well change out the heater core too, while your in there. if you have an acrobat, pull the windshield out. and try the repair while hanging upside down from the rafters.

[@jeremyhossler2203]

One thing I do when I am done charging I to turn the knobs and do a evac on the machine so the lines don't pop. Saves a little freon

[@DobieTanpaw]

You should get yourself a can of Deoxit D5 spray. It dissolves corrosion on connectors like that, and adds some mineral oil to prevent more corrosion from forming. I've used it on a LOT of automotive connectors, and it's foxed a lot of problems for me!

[@litz13]

On a Jeep XJ, it's actually pretty easy, once you've dug down to the base structure only four bolts hold the dash on. If you have a newer model, you can tilt the steering wheel all the way down, and pull just the right side back, to expose the HVAC box.

[@proforguns]

I get really upset when I watch you videos. They are constantly reminding me of the incompetence of my local mechanics. I can do most stuff (alot of thanks to you) but I have trust issues on the stuff I can't do.Wish you were here in Texas. Thanks buddy,be safe.

[@eltonyancey6426]

Same here.

[@K.Kelly87]

Ditto.

[@stulop]

Same where I live. We had a local do our aircon, compressor, condenser and receiver dryer. When I got it home I opened the Bonnet, yes in England to look at new shiny bits and I immediately saw gas bubbling from the conection to the dryer. Did no one check visually for leaks? I think they just invoked hope procedure.

[@robertlacob8831]

Always fun to diagnose someone else's mistake! He might not want to take it back there if it was some friend of his or he did this himself! I once did an ac evaporator on a 1982 Camaro Berlinetta. Had the entire front of the car on the floor, took 2 days! Fixed but never again. You better believe I painstakingly took care with every move to make it was correctly assembled! Worked great when finished.

[@kennethbaker2624]

Thanks Ray for your informative videos . I'm so happy you are working for yourself ! 👍

[@46fd04]

Great diagnosis. I would not want to be the guy who has to pull the dash apart. Took me 3 days to replace the Air Inlet (Recirculation) Box on my 09 Grand Caravan.

[@mike.47]

It always makes me a little nervous when Ray is working so close to the running belts, I hope he has his fingers insured.

[@michaelpressman7203]

If I can I avoid working on a running engine especially in tight quarters have a great day

[@dankunert6344]

Phalanges.

[@Clearanceman2]

Yeah, I've never had one of my personal vehicle's AC leak behind the dash but I'm not sure I'd be willing to fix it.

[@mikehunt908]

@@dankunert6344 👋

[@K.Kelly87]

Yeah... He was freaking me out too....

[@kdd1214]

This reminds me of the problem I have with my car. My blend doors have holes in them that are supposed to have sticky foam covering them from factory, but I need to get in there and tape over the blend doors so they actually direct air flow like they are supposed to.

[@chuckgross6024]

Ahh yes. I was recently in my dash for the same reasons on my 03 ram. Fun times. Side note if anyone needs a replacement dash for ram trucks cuz they are junk and always broken. LMC TRUCK has them! Perfect match and fit.

[@damon20r]

I had a 2003 Grand Cherokee and the blend doors were very well known for breaking. It happened on mine and it was only a couple years old.

[@damon20r]

@@Nick9drs It's a pretty big job. I spent a couple days pulling it apart and driving it without a dash. I ended up just cutting a hole and manually blocked off the flow to the heater core in the summer.

[@jaykellett2327]

Actuator door motor broke on my 2002 highlander.....in2012. $900 to fix or I could just move door manually with long screwdriver in summer for AC, and late fall for heat. about 30 seconds to align screwdriver and push open for AC or pry apart to close for heat. Did that for 4 years then sold the car. So......not just a Jeep thing.

[@danielmoore8538]

Easiest fix,trade it in 👍🏻

[@eddieMurphy11111]

you are doing a great job and i mean great you go through every detail like no other so call mechanics .thank you for the video have a great weekend

[@firemanjeffgg2440]

I like that blue-green color that jeep has

[@Torgonius]

I'm so lucky to have found a really good mechanic near me. But in 4 months I'll be moving closer to Ray, and I know what shop I'm going to use if I need it then!

[@alexispieltin9379]

Here we have another good video following a very talented and honest professional in this multiple problem source detection. And here, also admitting there is somthing he probably can't and don't want to solve. Any mechanic speaking of "pulling apart the dash" perfectly knows it's a huge amount of painful, risky and dirty lot of working hours to access and change a complete and expensive pack of vent tubes, flaps, motors and sensors. Plus once you've painfully accessed parts like a blower motor or icing sensor, you know you're supposed to change them, adding costs... You can also bet to find other problems reassembling these elements, with many known connectors and aging plastics issues (broken clips): this can also evolve in a cascade of problems, an avalanche of sXXt, failing stereo, due airbags, black widows or germs nest... Here, you have clear signs of a previous attempt to save this situation, leaving actuator floating, you can perfectly tell this situation was clearly known of the owner (or the previous owner?). These tampering evidences never sound good in a pronostic and are generally a source of discussions, and a clear reason to refuse further action, as you could be held responsible for others misbehavings or any pending surprise. Finally it's a very expensive work that adds no value to any car (it will never add extra mileage capacity!), so it's clearly a "Buy another car" FLAG.

[@newsnowriversidesgtrock]

Love that "gravity!"

[@rager-69]

Great video. I liked this video better than the multi-part engine leak where you took out the drivetrain. And I definitely liked it better than that Wrangler rebuild series.

[@DukeBlade-ol6pm]

One minute diagnostic for under hood AC (same for house). If low pressure refrigerant line from firewall feels cold, the problem isnt the refrigeration under the hood, problem most likely is the blend door in the dash. One minute confirmation to pinch off hot coolant supply to firewall. If cabin temperature drops, evidence pointing to blend door again. Check fuse. Two minutes into the job, now know the problem is a dash take out for blend door repair. If customer lives in the South US with mild winters and doesnt need heat, bypass hot coolant to firewall or install a manual shutoff valve while customer saving money for expensive blend door repair. Job takes 30 minutes total plus valve, and customer has working AC again. Agree that you did find secondary issues.

[@robertdavis6708]

Thanks for taking the time to bring great video to the party. Man I wish your garage was 1100 miles closer.

[@mrmoeam]

Check the cabin air filter if equipped

[@lfowkes11]

Why in the world would they use a hydraulic fan? An electric motor is generally reliable, inexpensive, and light weight. A hydraulic motor is none of those things. As an engineer I hate $1000 solutions to $100 problems.

[@StealthMode139]

Your one of the best diagstitions have ever seen, Well done ty for teaching. 🚚 ❣

[@andyrbush]

Yep I go back to the dashboards being a piece of wood with holes in it for the gauges. All I see with fancy dashboards is a money pit for when the stuff behind it goes wrong.

[@goodtimejohnny8972]

30 years of wrenching, only 2 customers did what it takes to restore AC. Both needed evaporators including dash removal. Lots of dough to replace those. Most people just opt to open the window.

[@jimskinner2777]

Always enjoy your videos. I know its a lot of work but thank you for daily videos. You are the first new video I look for after work. You are really inspiring. You also have a great sense of humor.

[@saablazer]

I owned a 1999 Grand Cherokee Laredo V8 and LOVED it! Of all the cars I’ve owned and sold, I want that one back the most!

[@rickmarr4744]

Ray, you and Eric O are the best!

[@pud469]

I used to work for Chrysler and owned my share of 4.7 WJ's. Poor cooling from AC. 95% needs an evaporator. If dual climate control...... 85% blend air door broken along with the evaporator. Dorman makes a metal replacement for the blend air door, which works really well. If the dash is coming out for AC work, always try selling the evaporator and blend air pin upgrade. If you don't do both together, it will for sure come back with the other soon. Sometimes even recommend a heater core. Most customers will pay the extra for parts when you quote them the time for dash removal, saving them the cost 2 more times for the work. You seems to have a good reputation so customers should trust you that spending the $175 now on parts will save another $1000.00 later and not have to pull the dash again. The heater core connections seem to like to leak when using the old heater core (especially when they are really old). Any small stress on the nipple creates a PITA.

[@adrianstanton2652]

Wow Ray you bring new meaning to “DASHCAM”.

[@omorin34]

I heard these doors break all the time in this model. I think there is a kit that you can cut away part of the air box and replace the flap without removing the dash. One of my coworkers had this issue with theirs, they fixed it that way.

[@stevenbaker9327]

Yep...been there

[@pauldail7682]

@@stevenbaker9327 Me too!

[@miscbits6399]

filling the connector body up with dielectric grease ensures water can't get in even if an o-ring fails I've done this a number of times for connectors with corrosion in them (after having cleanmed them out previously, then had them play up again). Once done, the problem doesn't recur

[@MrJorgvankleef]

Good day from overseas France 😊!

[@fishaholic122]

Yes the recycle door was working

[@timc3600]

PWM - Pulse Width Modulation. The percentage of high time vs the percentage of low time on a signal. Its used to control power / speed on digital systems.

[@MyVideosDon]

Check Cabin filter for air flow. It happened to me in a 1998 yukon with no filter full of dirt

[@BusyElf]

I love the way you work your way through problems, then decide if it's worth the time to continue with reapirs or call it a day. or otherwise and let the customer decide.. Whatever, the problems are highlighted and it's soloution by your meticulous attention to the details and workflow. Great video though.

[@justinferguson5451]

The wire you said was hanging out is a “thermistor” my understanding from research on doing my ram 2500 airbox works off of temp and in conjunction with the computer and compressor pressure/transducer switch to command compressor on or off to “make cold”

[@warbuzzard7167]

When I heard all the clattering from behind the dash I got a memory of "Tommy Boy," when the whole huge bag of Peanut M&Ms when spilling down the defroster of his beautifully-restored Chrysler. 🤣😆🤣😆

[@brianshopsky]

I learned something today.nice video Ray

[@donpitirre]

I did that work on my wife’s Jeep kk, you need a new air distribution box . And replace the heater core once the unit is out . Don’t want to go back in to replace the core of it goes bad later

[@embreeja]

Wow, what a surprise ending!

[@JohnH0130]

Masterful diagnosis, considering there are/were at least] four separate defects [low refrigerant, fan wiring circuit corrosion, and at least two problems with air circulation system. Shows the importance of using a rigorously systematic investigation to identify each fault. I had not previously heard of a hydraulic fan motor; what is the advantage over a simple electric drive motor?

[@jesstreloar7706]

Had hydraulic power windows on the 1952 Packard Hearse, put a 289 in it. It needed a 454.

[@Charles-m3t]

If you wish not to take dash apart and cheet go to JGC parts to get blend doors and directions how to replace worked for me

[@benjaminlowrey3186]

1.69 lbs on the last Cherokee I did. It was mint. 123k on the clock and super clean. Valve cover ac line and expansion. Also a mysterious Evap leak but the gas tank

[@glenbo2464]

My friend has a 2002 Cherokee over land. It just turned 100k last year. Those HO 4.7's are surprisingly quick !

[@johnchambers12]

Since you picked on 1984 quality control in 1979 while working at an auto shop we received a carburetor with no float. That was an interesting day for sure.

[@FullFaithRepair]

Love the 1984 reference 👌

[@AK-Ram-tech]

Lol the ole jeep hvqc door problems. I had one on one of my grand cherokees the was the temp door shaft snapped.

[@mde8965]

Hope the owner decides to fix this. For one, its a nice WJ with low miles (90 something thousand) and it looks like it is in good shape otherwise. 2nd, and more importantly, I am very curious to see Ray make this repair happen. My 2004 TJ Wrangler has just the right amount of technology, and that aint much. I hope some day to introduce Ray to my TJ and get some things fixed/renewed. Jeep only has 54k miles, but that does not stop it from getting older. Would be so cool watching Ray's YT video of working on MY vehicle...

[@mattbrown5511]

I hope the owner of the car doesn't have to sue the previous mechanic to get his car properly repaired. As usual, you did great work.

[@justindaniels17]

I just bought car just like this 2 days ago and I'm regretting it

[@rodgermills1496]

I had a similar vintage Durango with the 4.7L and from the first day I purchased it the A/C was mediocre at best running around 45-50 degrees at the vent. The dealer ship advised me that the core temp. was at spec. and there is nothing more they could do. I could have pushed it but did not have the desire to have the dash on an brand new vehicle taken apart. I found that the blend doors were just not effective so I but a valve in the heater core supply line and the A/C worked perfect after that, only problem was I had to open the valve when I got to Winter and wanted heat, not a big deal for me as this was a third vehicle for us used mainly for towing.

[@rake.]

I enjoy the diag videos, following the logic trail to find the source.

[@postersm7141]

I’ve been backyard mechanicing for decades but it’s amazing I’ve never seen a hydraulic fan!

[@CloudStrife8894]

The best thing for you Ray is the no "Do de do de do" like at the old shop.

[@benjilafouine]

Happened to me on my old 2003 Ford about 10-12 years ago. It cost me a bundle as you can imagine. About three years ago I took the car for a spin on a cold day because the roads were clear (this is a summer car) and right away I noticed a huge fogging problem inside the car. On my way back I stopped at the local garage to have it checked and the recirculating trap was stuck. Its part of my evaporator. Since I really never use this option (it is used mostly in the summer for the AC to cool things faster), I told the guy to remove the trap. Problem solved. I can live without that because fixing it means a second replacement of the said evaporator.

[@rcsontag]

It's the low-pressure gauge that determines the air temperature, the lower the pressure, the lower the temperature. A higher-than-expected low pressure is indicative of a bad thermal expansion valve (orifice).

[@EIRK2046Y]

Try to use your diagnostic tool to check actuators in AC....Look at error codes in AC... Thank you Mister !

[@tyenbreck1]

When you screwed down the new valve core in the ac line, click! Lmao. That was funny!

[@brandonstreeter3465]

I swear i learn sonething new every day watching rays stuff

[@richardtidd2738]

Back in the 80`s and 90`s we used to joke it would cost a GRAND to put a Mass sticker on one of these gems. You`re super lucky working on mostly rust free cars. Greetings from Boston area, thanks for your video efforts and knowledge.

[@jamesvanzijl4348]

Good suggestion Ray !!!

[@grahammctygue724]

Saw thumb nail didn't,t realize it was in that jeep thanks. Peace

[@hestheMaster]

At the end of the video the blend door has a gear that must be replaced so as to get full cool or full warm air. Many videos on YT about that POS part on the Grand Cherokee! If it gets stuck it usually sticks to cool side and the fix is noting where it does in the travel path. Also no surprise the door itself spins 360 degrees via that white plastic piece on the plenum where the door inside is no good. So typical of Chrysler stuff.

[@psychodocter]

Hi Ray I am an FJ fan and would like to know more about the yellow one in your shop! I quit Jeeps (traded my 2001 Grand Cherokee 6.0 for some tree trimming because I was fed up with it) and got an FJ to replace it. The FJ is vastly superior. Thanks, Rick

[@mysurlytrucker7510]

Well done good diagnosis

[@Marrk689]

The cassette tapes in the glove box got me 😂😂😂😂

[@micheals1992]

This reminds me of my window switch... The window stopped going up. I removed the switch and put it back on and it started working again. A few days later it started happening again, took it off actually cleaned the connections this time and 2 years later it's all still working fine :)

[@ryans413]

My window broke and fell down Inside the door. Had to replace the regulator reattach the window to the regulator. Bobs your uncle windows working again. I guess 20 year old plastic finally failed from the stress of the window going up and down for 20 years.

[@dussreynolds2992]

Like you always say just because it's new doesn't mean it's good. I changed my wheel bearing yesterday yesterday with a duralast gold not the cheapest and not the most expensive. Was good for about five miles and started making noise. Took it back off back to AutoZone and exchanged it. Replaced and now its quieter than new.

[@adamJeepstuff]

A wj lol, I have 3, my overland has 251k miles lol. Everything works but the ac , new compressor and still doesn't engage lol. Cool to see a wj on this channel

[@nateharris1918]

HVAc housing has melted. Very common on early 2000's jeep SUV's. the foam seals that they used melt whe baking in the sun for months at a time, this effectively glues the doors shut so they wont move. actuator tries to move the door and the door breaks. I hit a run of about a dozen of them during a 3 month period in Dodge Nitro / Jeep Liberties about 3 years ago. only fix is to replace the hvac housing.

[@daverose8772]

With the high side hitting over 250 psi, and every standard service procedure failed to get cabin temp down to 45 degrees F, its expansion valve time....