I am having a strange isse with the A/C in my car. It does not always blow cold, but flucuates which also associates that 'smell' you get when you are running the blower with the air off versus when you have the air on (that kinda odd, musky smell).

I don't think it's low on freon because it is flucuating and not just blowing air that is the same temp. It will go from cold to warm, cold to warm, etc. I don't leave it on that long and luckily have not really had to. Oh and all scenarios have the A/C button pushed in (activated).

When I googled last night I saw that the compressor was an issue on the 09. Just wanted to check before I took it in.

Thx all.

 

Keep us updated when you take it in to have it checked out. My 2011 does the same thing, but one of the techs said it was normal. I'm not buying his word!

 

The last time I had anything like that happen was when I had a car with an AC ECON setting, where the compressor was actually working only around half the time. I don't think we have an AC ECON setting on the 7th gen. I have not encountered this cool/not cool/musty smell situation with my '09 AC.

Unless we do have an AC ECON setting on the 7th gen, then the situation you describe should not be normal.

 

Thanks guys. I know what you mean with the econ setting. Our 1994 J30 had that and it was annoying because of that weird smell and honestly it seems like the car is doing something like that!

I will keep you all updated on what is going on.

Cheers!

 

I finally went to the dealer and was adamant about the temperature fluctuation. 2 hours later the verdict was low freon. They evacuated and recharged the system and it feels a whole lot better. The powertrain warranty didn't cover the freon, so it cost me $110.

If you have the warm/cool ac issue, then low freon is definitely a place to start.

 

Did they also fix the leak ?


That's a crazy price for maybe 5lbs of R134A.


I have a 30lb tank at my house that I paid around $100 for

 

I spoke to the tech that worked on my car, also I was standing outside the bay watching him working on it. He injected the UV dye and did not find a leak. If it happens again I have the 12mo/12k repair warranty. How does a 3 year old car need freon already!


***It's a used car, so I have no clue what happened in those 3 years. I've only had it 4 months.

 

Either there was not enough freon in it to begin with or more likely it has a leak.

How does a newer car have a bad engine bearing, develop rust on the trunk, have a power steering pump fail, have condensation in the tail lights and side mirrors, seats that are loose and shake as you drive. And do not heat properly. These issues have occured in Maxima's much newer than yours. At least you did not pay for a new one.

 

The system takes less than 2 lbs. 5 lbs. would blow the compressor to bits. Guys do not over fill your ac systems because you want to make your car into a refrigerator. There are guys saying what a 30lb bottle of gas costs but no one mentions what the ac machine or the technician costs. A good skilled tech at least where I live can cost the dealer anywhere from 18 to 30+ per hour. I just paid 3300 for a top of the line ac servicing station. I have to perform alot of services to make my investment pay off. I would want to know why the system was low. Freon doesn't just dissipate or evaporate. I would ask the dealer to reinspect the system at no charge. The dye has had ample time to circulate through the system. If they want to charge you, then you can check the system with a black light and hopefully find the leak.

 

Some older Car AC systems can use close to 5lbs. I had a old Ford Galaxy that took 64 ounces of R12. Without knowing the system I estimated on the very high side and never told him to add any amount . I was merely making a comparison as to how much the dealer is charging for 134A.

I have an Escalade that uses 60 oz of Refrigerant (3.75 lbs) I Never checked a 7th gen Max but as I said the figure was intentionally high.

He said everything was covered except the refrigerant, obviously if tech time is included it's more than a fair price. If he paid $110 for the 134a that is beyond robbery.

I did HVAC for 15 years before changing careers, when someone says the word "FREON " I think of R12, lol

On another note either the system was never fully charged or it had/has a leak. A/C systems don't get low on refrigerant ( saying it was properly charged) unless you have a leak.