I have an erattic idle on the RPM guage when the AC is on. It seems as though the clutch is engaging when this happens but it just does not seem normal. Also, I am getting periods when the air isn't as cold as it should be. Is this a sign that the compressor is goin bad. I do hear bearing chattering when I accelerate, but a guy told me that all Nissan compressors do that.
He said to just drive it.....

 

Are you getting erratic idle after the compressor is done engauging, or right when it's engauging?

 

o that sux u live in FL w/ a f'ed A/C

 

1. check to make sure you have a good charge of "freon"
2. the noise is the compressor clutch going bad most likely

 

its been a long day at work, i thought that said erotic idle

 

Yes,

The eratic idle starts after the compressor is engaged, but the funny thing is that it doesn't happen all the time. If I am sitting at normal idle with the compressor on, the idle will increase and then drop eratically as if it is about to cut off. Can I replace the clutch without buying the entire compressor?

 

yes you can, but you have to find one and someone willing to install it.

 

Don't know what engine you have, but there is an idle up for the a/c. On the SE engine the Idle air control has a FIDC or FICD solenoid on it that, when activated with the a/c increases the idle. Perhaps this solenoid is intermintant.