I just replaced my alternator and also hub assemblies and thought I was done with repairs for a while but now my A/C is kaput. Here in middle Georgia it is already AC weather so need to get this done soon.

I took it back to the same independent mechanic that installed the hub assemblies and he gave me a quote of $650 parts & labor. He ran some tests and the compressor wouldn't come on at all and he said it needs to be replaced.

His quote was for parts and labor and he said I would need to buy the whole compressor assembly kit. I saved a lot of money by buying a new alternator and hub assembly myself and letting them install only.

From my research I am leaning towards the Denso.Part # 4715008 RockAuto is selling it for $205.79 which is a lot cheaper than what the local Nissan stealership quoted of $570 for the compressor alone.

If you had a 2003 Maxima would you go with that Denso? I saw a few other brands but wanted to ask you guys if that is a good choice. I think it is OEM? not sure though.

Second question is the independent mechanic said if I bought my own parts for him to install I would need the whole installation kit. At the checkout portion of Rock Auto I saw this message

"Warranty requires you to replace the A/C Expansion Valve or A/C Orifice Tube (depending on the vehicle), as well as the A/C Receiver Drier / Accumulator (On some vehicles this is part of the A/C Condenser)."

So for my Maxima, I need the valve not tube right? Then I need the A/C receiver Drier/Accumulator. Is it also a good idea to get the A/C System O-Rings, Seals, & Gasket Kits? I just want to make sure I order the right parts.

The mechanic said he couldn't warranty the parts if I bought them myself only if he used his parts. I forgot to ask him his parts price alone but is $650 a decent estimate? Not sure how many hours of labor for this job. I will check some other shops tomorrow but I was just hoping to get some ideas here.

The parts themselves include a warranty though just not sure if $650 is on the high or low side. Looks like if I buy the parts myself I am looking at around $235 but I have no idea how many hours of labor is typical for this job.

I got a lot of great advice for my alternator and hub assembly which saved me a lot of money so hoping you guys can help me once more time.

 

Take it to a place that charges like $35.99 to inspect the a/c system, you may just need freeon

I don't know about my maxima but on my zukitron(Suzuki) the clutch doesn't engage when the freeon is low or empty...

 

That is where I was earlier today when I got the $650 quote. They said the freon was low and even put some new freon in but the compressor never came on even after that. We sat that a good 5 minutes with it running just to make sure. It just blows warm air.

 

OK, assuming the repair shop put in the proper amount of refrigerant (it is not Freon, it is R134A), then possible bad parts are:

Refrigerant pressure switch
Magnetic clutch on compressor and/or fuse
Compressor

And with lesser probabilities:

Ambient temperature sensor (if auto climate control)
a/c relay
a/c auto amp (dash control panel)

 

Thank you. That really helps. I am going to a different shop sometime soon that specializes in Car A/C and hope they are a bit cheaper. I will research all those items you listed and be better prepared to haggle with them now. Much appreciated.