Have a weird AC issue in my 2002. Sometimes is works, others it doesnt. Some times just cutting the car off, and back on will fix it. There are no codes, and I dont think it is low on freon due to it working sometimes.... Any suggestions? Thanks for the help.

 

Did you run the Self Analysis from the AC control panel?

 

Intermittent problems of this type are usually caused by electrical or electro-mechanical parts that are in the process of failing: switches, connectors, broken wires or contacts, etc., etc. To diagnose the problem, you need your AC not to be working; then wiggle, push, pull and otherwise play with each component until you identify the culprit.

Perhaps running the self-analysis first (as suggested above) may help. Also, I would fill/top off the coolant, just to be safe.

(I assumed your AC has manual controls; with automatic controls, there is another set of parts that may fail although the principles are the same).

 

How do you run the self analysis? I do have the automatic controls if that helps (or hurts). It happened today. Has been blowing hot for days. Came out of a store, bam, ice cold. Any assistance would be great...

 

usually when the clutches on the compressor start going they wil do exactly what you are mentioning

 

See page 43 in the following link for the diagnostic. Two things about this diagnostic:
1) It does not test the compressor, it only tests the controls and the sensors. The compressor could be missing and the diagnostic wouldn't know the difference.
2) Since you have an intermittent problem, try to run the diagnostic when the a/c isn't working.

http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/2002/HA.pdf

 

Well I took it to the dealer last week. Of course it was blowing cold air the entire time it was there. I guess the good news that came from this is they verified bit was not a freon issue. The bad is they randomly said it "could" be a thermistor in they dash. Cheap part. I told them to order it and get back with me. Since then my symptoms have changed a little. Hot air until you drive about 15 to 20 minutes, then it magically kicks on. This alone with the comments has me leaning to the compressor as the trouble maker. Any additional thoughts?

 

I would have your mechanic check the system for low freon. Also, consider a dye test to see if the system is leaking somewhere. If you are lucky, you can get it tested for under $50.

 

Just an update. It was the compressor. Thanks for all the help.

 

What compressor did you buy?