03 WJ no heat

**underpowered** · 11-20-2009, 08:30 PM

so my grandma just called me. said her 03 grand has no heat, blows air but not hot air. no idea if there are any codes. dealer said it was blend doors, which is what i told her it probably was. they quoted her $700 to fix.

is that most likely it? best route to change it? i saw teh write up so you don't have to take out the dash, just not sure how granny would react to me cutting up her dash lol. otherwise, i guess i would be looking at a multi day job to remove the dash and all?

and yes i did search. but being it is not my jeep and do not know codes, and can't really explain to her how to check them, figured those with experience may be able to tell me what i am looking at here when i go toe replace them for her.

Sextiva · 11-20-2009, 08:43 PM

Has she checked the coolant? Could be that simple, and never know if they are crooks.

**underpowered** · 11-20-2009, 08:58 PM

highly doubt that, her brother is the service manager at the dealer she takes it to. and gramps is smart enough to check the simple stuff.

Mikeg175 · 11-20-2009, 09:00 PM

If her brother is the service mgr , just have him get a tech to do it on the side , easy fix ..

**underpowered** · 11-20-2009, 09:16 PM

it will still cost more $$$ than i can do it for. being as they are both retired and ona fixed income, having my do it is much more financially feasable for them than still paying a a tech $400 or so to replace it, as tech would have to do it after hours or on a weekend, and still want a heft amount since it appears to be sucha PITA.

i just want to know what i am getting myself into really.

Sextiva · 11-20-2009, 09:24 PM

Have you searched the forums to see if there's a write up on this? Or you could ask her brother for a factory service manual on the vehicle, or perhaps even there is one online. Those things a re a life saver.

**underpowered** · 11-20-2009, 09:40 PM

i have searched and found a writeup on doing it the quick and dirty way, via cutting the heater box. but not on a full out dash removal.

**markywmson** · 11-20-2009, 10:16 PM

wjjeeps.com has a great writeup on removing the dash for this situation. i'm in the quandry myself whether i want to do the quick and dirty way, or remove the dash and do it properly

adgjqetuo · 11-21-2009, 12:37 AM

Use this video I made on how to check for codes:

YouTube - Jeep Grand Cherokee (WJ) Dual Climate Control Fault Codes

HTH

Envygreen · 11-21-2009, 12:49 AM

turn off the fan and turn on the seat warmers

04OVRLND · 11-21-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Envygreen

turn off the fan and turn on the seat warmers

This method might work when its only around the freezing point but not when its -40 in the middle of winter and you can't even defrost the windows... i am going through this right now also haha got the seat warmers on high but doesn't do much for the rest of my body....

cmonson · 11-21-2009, 09:34 AM

i replaced my blend doors by removing the dash. I used the updated parts. Mine still broke about a year later. I spent all weekend and around $250 in parts. Had to discharge the AC, then recharge it.

WHen the updated parts broke I bought the heater treater. Took 45 mins to put in and under $150. Very easy to install. It has been going strong now for 2 years.

redhatman · 11-21-2009, 09:41 AM

I have done a few HVAC door repairs, heater cores, and a/c evaporators. All are in the same ballpark.

You can test to make sure that it is actually the blend door by manually moving the lever. I think the WJ doors always break, correct? It is not the blend door actuator that goes out?

If you have never done dash work or are not too experienced I would just leave it up to the professionals. But It is a job that will take the average person probably 8+ hours. Nothing too tricky, just a time consumer. I just looked it up, the job pays 4.6 hours.

cmonson · 11-21-2009, 11:09 AM

I agree on the 8 hours. It took me around 12 hours total with breaks and coming inside to look on my laptop to review the steps.

I am sure if I did it again I could do it in 6. As above said, not that difficult, but a lot of work.

To each his own, but I would recommend you use a heater treater.

**underpowered** · 11-22-2009, 09:21 PM

i am gonna talk to her tomorrow and see what she wants to do. know how is not the issue, but more the time to do it since i work full time and go to school full time as well.

11-21-2009, 12:49 AM	#10
Envygreen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Marcos, CA Posts: 289 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	turn off the fan and turn on the seat warmers __________________ 2004 WJ 4.0 limited "I'LL TAKE A COLD INTERIOR OVER CLADDING" Still have heated seats! 2008 Ranger, 2003 Powerstroke lariat straight pipe tuned, 2000 TJ Sport, leaky stak 3 speed and bunch of other stuff that i don't care to add up.

11-21-2009, 09:34 AM	#12
cmonson Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Columbus Posts: 1,549 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	i replaced my blend doors by removing the dash. I used the updated parts. Mine still broke about a year later. I spent all weekend and around $250 in parts. Had to discharge the AC, then recharge it. WHen the updated parts broke I bought the heater treater. Took 45 mins to put in and under $150. Very easy to install. It has been going strong now for 2 years.

11-21-2009, 11:09 AM	#14
cmonson Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Columbus Posts: 1,549 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I agree on the 8 hours. It took me around 12 hours total with breaks and coming inside to look on my laptop to review the steps. I am sure if I did it again I could do it in 6. As above said, not that difficult, but a lot of work. To each his own, but I would recommend you use a heater treater.