Kountz430

I have the digital hvac,its just like the clock no illumination.secondly i have no low,just med and high 1.) is that normal for a third gen with digital hvac(not having low).2.)how do i fix the lighting issue 3.) is there a possible color change i think that'll be kinda hot

Kountz430

im guessing no one has had this problem but me trail and error time

generation3

iTrader: (33)

The illumination fading is a common problem. I don't know about the other problem though. To fix it I'm not sure I have a manual a/c. I think you just need another unit or get one from the junkyard. Use the search feature and I think you'll find your answer.

gapboi210

The a/c not owrking on low sounds like a bad resistor.

93SCMax

iTrader: (3)

Try the Auto Air Conditioner self-diagnosis test.
Start the engine with the air off.
Hold the off button for 5 seconds. All LED's should light up. If they don't, you have a bad panel or unit.
There are 4 other steps you can go thru to determine if you have a sensor, motor, actuator or temperature problem.
The FSM walks you thru the various steps so you can pinpoint the problem.
Hope this helps you get started on the troubleshooting.

KeithD

There are a few threads that cover the repair of the lighting in the units. Basically you have to take it all apart and find the bad solders, resolder the joints, possibly replacing any faulty resistors, and then re assemble.

I found my faulty solder by taking everything apart, then plugged the board back in, and poking every solder with a wooden stick until I found the offending solders. Repaired them and it illuminated as good as new for about 6 months and now I'm back at sqaure one. Just havn't had the time to rip it all apart and find out where new problem is.

Kountz430

i tried what you said and all the l.e.d.s came on just like you said it worked secondly i got to messin with the buttons and i adjusted the temp up before turning on the air, some numbers came up 2,3, 41 & 5 i also heard what sounded the actuators moving any idea what those numbers my mean

93SCMax

iTrader: (3)

Kountz430, your panel and control unit are good. The other numbers are the various steps of the diagnosis process.
Start over,don't turn on the ac unit...and walk thru the steps. When you press the temperature up button one time, it takes you to step 2, then 3, then 4 then 5. If you press the temp down button and you're at step 4, it will take you back to step 3. Wait after pressing the up button. Another number (code) will come up. Write it down with each step increase. Share the code with each step. I'll let you know if a problem code comes up.
Of course, if you had a FSM you could do this w/o help. I noticed one for sale in the 3rd gen classified section. My 93 FSM should work in troubleshooting your 94 gxe.
Good to see your control unit doen't need replacing! Now on to the sensors and actuators.

Kountz430

alright step 2 is 5 flashing, step 3 is a 0 not flashing, step 4 is 41 not flashing step 5 is just 5. i 'll tell ya one my clock would work when it felt like it but now ever since i did the lil l.e.d trick its been bright and has'nt faded yet

93SCMax

iTrader: (3)

Step 2 with 5 flashing is the sunload sensor (near windshield on dash). Did you do this test under sunlight? If not redo and check the code again as it will register an error code if done indoors. If not, you have a bad sunload sensor or connection. Step 3 with 0 means All Mode door motor position switches are in good order. Step 4 with 41 is alot more complicated. with 41 showing press the DEF switch then the temp up buttom to go thru the 6 actuator test patterns. It's too complicated to explain here (need FSM). Step 5 tests the ambient, In-vehicle and Intake sensors (1 at a time). Press DEF button one time and the ambient sensor temp is displayed, press again and the in-vehicle sensor temp is displayed, press again and the intake sensor is displayed. Engine should be running for this test, and if the temperatures seem off on any of these, then you may have a bad sensor.
If you run your air in manual mode, can you get 1, 2, 3 and 4 fan speeds? If so, only running it in auto with 3 or 4 speeds may mean you have an in vehicle sensor problem, or you need a recharge as you can't cool down your cabin.

Kountz430

there is no 1,2,3 its just 4 lol in auto and manual i'll try the rest of the tricks when i get off work to night

93SCMax

iTrader: (3)

Start back to basics. Run the car until engine temperature is warm (needle centered). Air flow should be with lever down and hvac unit off. Press the fan button once. Does the blower come on low. Press again. Are there two fans emblems on the readout? Press again for 3 and then again for full fan. If you didn't get all four fan emblems, at each stage (button push) your blower motor is the issue.

gapboi210

If the blower motor is bad won't it just not work at all? Most vehicles have a resistor for the different speed settings. If this goes bad, you usually lose 1 or more speeds but others will work. Very common thing on a lot of newer GMs. Many of the Grand Ams, Aleros, and Malibus are common for losing speeds 1 & 2 but 3, 4 and 5 work due to a bad resistor.

maximusve92

replace your blower relay if having problems with speed settings,it located behind the glovebox

93SCMax

iTrader: (3)

maximusve92 may be correct that the blower hi relay could be the problem. According to the FSM, it's on the intake unit. It receives a signal from the auto amplifier to operate the blower motor at high speed. I guess if there is a problem with the relay, it may not operate at low speed since you said earlier that you only run medium and high speed.
It could still be the sunload sensor or the in-vehicle sensor since the blower is suppose to operate at low speed if the in-vehicle temperature and set temperature are very close.

Kountz430

have'nt been able to check it will do it this weekend and post findings

Kountz430

it was in fact the relay thanks fellas

gapboi210

told u except i called it a resistor lol

93SCMax

iTrader: (3)

+1 to maximusve92 for the correct diagnosis 1st time around.

maximusve92

hey I could probably say that I have only owned nissan's all three 3rd gens, 1989 vg5,1992ve5 and a current 1992 3rd gen with 7,000 grand in mods also ve5 new vtc's,koni reds and JWT ecu to name a few.on its way to a body shop for a black chrome metalic blue flake paint job and stillen body kit. I BEEN AROUND MAXIMA'S FOR A MINUTE.I made HONDA DRIVERS CONVERT OVER TO NISSAN LOL. Remember this one auto shop teacher sayin' nissan is the mercedes of engineering(meaning thier are very well made best in japan just look at the skyline for example no other car makes you feel the same. p.s. this probably my last maxima i don't like the other generations my sister has a 1997 max I do not like it, it o.k. for an automatic.The rest of them to my opinion just keep getting out of shape.I remember when altimas were unwanted,and now they look great just look at the 2008 coupe to see what I mean I hope the maxima go in that direction,just expressing my opinion on the org.

Rus1dunlup

hello,

i was wondering if anyone has instructions to replace the actuator in the A/C for a 2003 maxima.

please help,

thank you.

Greeny

iTrader: (43)

The 5th gen forum is a few doors up...

Click----> http://forums.maxima.org/forumdisplay.php?f=10

Deridex

I got 2 questions relevant to this thread.

1. What is FSM?
2. How do you chance Fahrengeit scale to Celsius? I can see the little letter C on the display but I never seen it glow nor could I ever make it glow.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

1. FSM = Factory Service Manual
2. No clue, haven't had a car A.C.C. yet

Deridex

A ha! Gotcha. But I still would like to know how to convert my ACC to celcius, because I understand it better.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

I think it mentions it in the owners manual.
I'd look but my manual is at home.
though if you donate you can search and find the answer. I'm pretty sure it is here somewhere.