Vehicle: 97 Max SE, climate control.

Alternator replaced a couple days ago under recall. Day after, I hit the Auto button on my climate control, no cold air. Did some quick investigating later, popped the hood, and the compressor is turning on. At least it sounds like it is.

Also had the fuel filter replaced. Not sure if that factors in.

Called service department. The advisor quickly responds "totally unrelated". I counter with the fact that it worked before, and doesn't work now. He says I can bring it in, but if they find it's unrelated, I have to pay for diagnostic.

Any clue as to what could be wrong? I don't know much about A/C. I always figured that compressor running == enough coolant == cold. I don't have time or skill to investigate on my own.

As a side note, there seems to be a survey that Nissan mails out when you have the alternator replaced. Based on what the service advisor and cashier told me while I was there, and the message the service manager left on my machine today, this survery is extremely important to the dealer. I just might be able to leverage that.

Any ideas appreciated.

 

I think according to the FSM you have to pop off the AC lines and drop the AC condensor to swap the alternator, I am willing to bet that they did not recharge your AC when they did that.

Good luck...
Del

 

There's a good chance something could have happened to the refrigerant lines. You have to remove the AC condensor mounting bolts to slide the AC compressor forward to remove the alternator. One of the refrigerant lines may not be fastened correctly or could have been damaged from the alternator removal/install.

Your AC not working could very well be related to your alternator replacement. I would talk to the service manager and complain that the service advisor you spoke to is either incompentant or dishonest. If they give you any **** ask to see the factory service manual and read to them the part where it says the AC condensor has to be moved to remove the alternator.

 

Keep us posted on the issue. I got a recall card also and don't want them to screw up my AC. Did anyone had similar problem?

 

I know it is a different car but the electrical logic may work in a similar way. I once had problems with the alternator in an Isuzu Rodeo and the A/C would not turn on when the alternator stoped charging. I think there was a relay that turned off the A/C when the alternator fails to prevent the battery from being drained too fast. If the alternator that you got installed was manufactured on a friday at 4:49 PM you could have the same problem.

 

jargoone, when you turn on your A/C and put it on cool, does any air come out

 

yeah, it may be something simple like being low on r-134a

 

Once again, I have climate control, which complicates things. I can't just push the A/C button, I have to put it on Auto and lower the temp enough (it's getting cool where I live) to make it want to turn on. I hear something happening at the time it should come on, but no cold air. It definitely doesn't work.

I plan on going to the dealer today and will post their findings.

 

The problem has been fixed.

The service tech apparently shaved one of the wires going to the compressor. Took them 10 minutes to fix it. The service advisor came in and said "It's your lucky day." I beg to differ.

So it's finally done after 3 trips (they failed to tell me they didn't have any alternators when they checked it the first time). I'm still not sure what I'm going to say on the survey...

 

I can't stand it when people make it sound like they are doing me a favor when they are undoing something they damaged. I'm glad they got your stuff fixed though.