Jeep fans take pride in their vehicles and love to customize them with parts and accessories. These modifications can improve off-road capability and style and make your vehicle more comfortable and functional.
The A/C compressor is the heart of your Jeep’s air conditioning system. It circulates refrigerant throughout the system while absorbing accumulated hot air from your cabin.
The radiator is an important component of your Jeep’s cooling system. Its primary function is to extract and disperse thermal energy from your engine so it can operate properly. If your radiator fails, your engine can overheat and damage the various components that make it work. You can prevent this from happening by maintaining a functioning radiator and getting it repaired when necessary.
Your Jeep’s cooling system includes a radiator, coolant reservoir, thermostat and pressure cap. The radiator is a metal block that features cooling fins that allow air to circulate through it as the coolant passes through. Coolant is a liquid that helps to reduce the temperature of your engine by absorbing heat and carrying it away. The thermostat monitors the temperature of the coolant and is responsible for closing a valve when it reaches a specific point to stop the flow of coolant to the radiator.
Your radiator will also feature a series of hoses that transport coolant from the radiator to the rest of the cooling system, and back again. These hoses should be regularly inspected for signs of deterioration. If you notice that the hoses are bulging or cracked, this may indicate that they are leaking. Your coolant is typically a light green color, but if it turns dark yellow or sludge-like, this could be an indication that the radiator is failing.
The denser the meshing in the radiator, the more efficiently it will perform. Modern radiators typically feature about 18 to 20 fins per inch, while YJ Jeeps ran with only 9. The density of the fins isn’t the only factor that impacts how efficient your radiator will be. The number of cores in your radiator is also important. Newer radiators will often have more cores than YJ models, and a higher number of cores will typically result in a greater cooling capacity. The coolant reservoir in your vehicle will usually feature a premium plastic that’s designed to withstand high temperatures and engine vibration. Your cooling system is a vital component of your Jeep’s performance and should be kept in tip-top condition.
A/C Compressor
The heart of any air conditioning system, the compressor circulates the lifeblood that cools your car’s cabin — refrigerant. When this critical component fails, the resulting system failure can leave drivers with hot or uncomfortable drives as their A/C struggles to keep up. That’s why DENSO offers the perfect replacement A/C Compressor for any auto repair or service job.
Like any mechanical system, the A/C compressor requires proper lubrication to function properly and last longer. The OE-spec compressors in our Jeep parts range feature pistons, bearings, and other components that are built to withstand pressure and stress. And they’re designed with a first-time fit to ensure that technicians can install them quickly and easily.
When you activate your air conditioner’s A/C button, an electromagnetic clutch sets the compressor in motion via the belt drive. Its swash plate oscillates six double-ended pistons, compressing the fluid while a thin mist of oil carries with it for lubrication. Once the refrigerant is pressurized, it passes to the accumulator and through the cycle clutch switch, which gauges and regulates temperatures inside the evaporator.
The accumulator removes any excess moisture and filters dirt, which can be detrimental to the rubber hoses that carry the refrigerant to the evaporator coil. From there, the evaporator produces cold, dry air that blows into the cabin.
As the weather warms up, more motorists will be looking for ways to cool off on their summer drives. And they’ll turn to their vehicles’ air conditioning systems. Unfortunately, this is when faulty A/C parts like the A/C Compressor will begin to fail.
Replacing an A/C compressor is one of the most complex and labor-intensive repairs that a mechanic can perform. Besides needing specialized tools and diagnostic equipment, it requires extensive disassembly of the air conditioning system. Moreover, the contaminated oil from the leaking compressor must be recovered and disposed of properly. This process can take hours. Nevertheless, with the right tools and the proper understanding of the A/C system circuitry, the procedure can be performed much faster than you might think. Having the proper knowledge and tools at your disposal will also help you reduce downtime and save on expensive re-install costs.
Alternator
There are many upgrades you can make to your Jeep that will help it keep up with the demands of your offroad adventures. You can add bigger tires, bigger lift kits and all sorts of other mechanical components to increase the performance of your vehicle. However, you also need to make sure that the electrical systems are up to the task of keeping up as well. One of the most important pieces in that system is the alternator.
The alternator is basically a generator that generates electricity to recharge the battery and power electrical accessories. It works by using a rotor, which is basically an electromagnet, to spin inside of a fixed piece called the stator. The spinning rotor creates an AC current, which then powers the stationary armature windings that produce direct current for your car. This is how your Jeep generates energy to power all of its electrical needs.
You can tell when your alternator is failing if you notice that the car is having trouble starting. It might also be putting out less power for electrical accessories like the radio, lights or heated seats. Another sign is if you notice that the voltage on your voltmeter is low.
Most modern vehicles use an alternator that has a diode rectifier to change the alternating current into direct current, and a voltage regulator to adjust the output of the alternator as engine speed changes. It’s a complex system, but it’s a crucial component in keeping your Jeep running and allowing you to continue enjoying all of the features that you love about driving it.
If you are going to tackle the job of replacing your alternator, it’s a good idea to get a Chilton or Haynes service manual for your specific Jeep model. This will tell you everything that you need to know to complete the job successfully. It will even give you the part numbers and specifications that are required for your particular vehicle. Unless you are an expert mechanic, it’s best to have your alternator changed by a professional.
Battery
One of the most essential parts of your Jeep is its battery. It is responsible for starting the vehicle and running electrical components like lights, radios, and outlets. While most cars can get by with just a single battery, Jeeps require a dual battery system to function. While a dual battery can be an expensive upgrade, the peace of mind it provides is well worth the cost.
The first battery in your Jeep is referred to as the primary battery and is responsible for cranking functions. The other battery is known as the auxiliary battery and serves to power accessories and add-ons. The auxiliary battery is connected to the primary battery with the help of a smart isolator that prevents the cranking battery from draining as the accessory battery charges.
A good quality battery is essential for starting your Jeep. It should also be able to maintain a charge for extended periods of time in hot and cold temperatures. In order to keep your battery in peak condition, you should clean the terminals regularly to prevent corrosion and make sure that the connections are tight.
In addition to cleaning the terminals, you should check the fluid levels and top off if needed. If you are unsure about the state of your battery, it is best to visit our service center. We provide a free multi-point inspection for every car we service, which can include inspecting your battery and its cables.
Jeeps that are driven often can quickly run down their batteries. This is because they require a large amount of electricity to start and operate the car. Additionally, driving short distances can drain the battery because the alternator is unable to recharge it in a reasonable amount of time.
If your battery is nearing the end of its life or you have recently added a winch, it is recommended that you consider upgrading to a deep-cycle backup battery. We offer a variety of dual purpose deep-cycle batteries that are designed to fit the specifications of your Wrangler. In addition to our selection of batteries, we also carry replacement battery trays and hold downs.