I have a 96 maxima with about 98k miles on it. My car runs fine all winter, but as soon as I need AC she wants to start acting up. At stops it idles fine, but when I start to accelerate it starts bucking and about 1 out of every 20 or so stops it cuts off when i accelerate. I searched the forum, but all problems related to this had CEL i havent had one. Any help would be great.

 

Question...when you first start your car and you turn your key to ACC does the CEL light up?

 

If it does, still scan for codes and report back.

 

Not sure what acc means but when I turn the key as far as it will go before actually starting the car all the lights are on. The brake, battery, oil , and cel are all on. Then they all go off as soon as the engine starts.

 

The stages of turning the key:

OFF
ACC (accessory...the radio)
ON (windows and everything work, but car is not running. All your dash lights should be on at this point, doing a "self check" of the bulbs.
START (self explanatory)

Though you're not spitting a code to trip the CEL, check for codes anyhow just to make sure.

You said the issue only happens when you accelerate...does the issue happen when you have DEFROST set in the cabin? setting DEFROST in the cabin (front, NOT the rear window defrost button) causes the AC compressor to start up at this point.

Does the actual operation of the A/C work? (i.e, do you get cold air?)

 

Sounds like an IACV issue. The IACV is supposed to kick in a higher idle when you engage the AC. Maybe yours isn't, hence the unstable performance.

Unfortunately with many issues, like this one, you wont get a CEL.

DW

 

Clean you MAF and TB per how tos. Test IACV per FSM. Report back