A/C is not working. Was working fine until last week. Just blowing hot air. Seems freon leaked out. Our mechanic replaced one part, seals valves. Worked fine on Friday and not working on Saturdy. Our Mechanic said it could possibly be the compressor and/or condenser, just hard to tell. Question, would I be better off going to the dealer and what could the potential cost be if it is the compressor and/or condenser.

 

On my 2000 it was the condensor in the dash. Go to any discount auto parts store pick up A/C dye around $20 bucks. Easy to install, if you have a black light in a dark place look at the compressor and where the A/C hoses go into the firewall use a clean rag or cotton glove feel around. If you see any dye theres where your headache starts!!! I picked up a chiltons manual for 15 bucks and replaced the condensor in 14 hours (started Friday night ended Sunday morning). TAKE YOUR TIME !!!! $150 condensor (NAPA) 1-A/C recharge kit and an extra can of refridgerant $40 bucks. Dealer wanted $2,300.00 to replace NO thats not a typo!! YES you CAN recharge your own system.
Good Luck

 

Oppps mine was the evaporator (looks like a heater core) that was in the dash. But none the less if its that, it was a REAL pain you'll need a manual.

 

MSN autos even lists the a/c evaporator core as a reliability issue for 1998 and 1999 http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Re...&model=Durango
"An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Air Conditioning Evaporator Core. The cost to replace the Air Conditioning Evaporator Core is estimated at $255.00 for parts and $338.00 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax."

 

We had our front evaporater changed. Evaporater was $368 and $420 for labor. Total bill was $916. Shop we took it to said Dodge on their part number somewhere is 'D' which is latest version. We had 'A'. Shop called Napa and all they had a 'A'. Hopefully Dodge redesigned later evaporaters so they don't leak.