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Air Conditioner performance

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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 09:21 AM
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Air Conditioner performance

I have both a 95 and 96 Maxima. The 96 is a GLE with the automatic style where you set it digitally. This car never gets very cool and with the correct amount of freon in it, it still has too high pressure on the low side. In other words, it does not have enough pressure differential to be efficient. The 95 on the other hand, also with the same amount of freon, will get down to 32 degree air from the vents on an 85 degree day. This is real good for a 134 based system. This is the basic sliding **** system.
I really don't think the type system matters, but do any of you have any suggestions on the low side pressure being elevated? The lady that had the car for about eight years before I got it said it never had very cold air.
Thanks for your responses.
Randy
Old Jun 12, 2007 | 09:50 AM
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Make sure on the Digital Gauges to click AUTO and I bet your just putting on heater and so the heater is blowing just air. Click auto and you'll be able to hear your AC compressor kick on.
Old Jun 12, 2007 | 09:52 AM
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there was a write-up about how u can make ur auto climate some degree lower.. i think its in the stickys... cant remember
Old Jun 12, 2007 | 10:48 AM
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When the low side pressure is too high on a properly charged A32 it is because the compressor is bad and needs replacing. Really.
Old Jun 12, 2007 | 09:11 PM
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old, I am afraid you are correct. The compressor sounds fine, but it must have some internal leakage. I also wonder if it could be an expansion valve problem. Evidently it has been like this since the car was almost new, as I noted, the lady that had it before me said it was never real cool and she had the car eight years.
Randy
Old Jun 12, 2007 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by moogotzskillz2
there was a write-up about how u can make ur auto climate some degree lower.. i think its in the stickys... cant remember

gotta get more info on this one.
Old Jun 13, 2007 | 05:55 AM
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OP stated that the system contained the correct amount of refrigerant and the low side pressure was too high. Result: warm air.

No thinking involved, it's a fact. Compressor is going/gone.
Old Jun 13, 2007 | 10:51 AM
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how much to replace a compressor? is that a DIYer?
Old Jun 13, 2007 | 10:54 AM
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if u can go a alternator you can do a AC compressor...
Old Jun 13, 2007 | 11:08 AM
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kewlness...
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 10:27 AM
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Well, I picked up a compressor at local salvage yard for $100, got a dryer from Advance Auto for about $26 that looked identical to OEM(Auto Zone was $63). I also got a small can of oil(100 series) and two cans of synthetic 134A that is supposed to be 18% cooler than standard.
Replaced everything and vacuumed it down and put the recommended amount in and drove it around. It got down to 35 degrees on center vent with outside temps about 75 and sunny. I will see later what it gets down to with it warmer outside. So far, so good. This is better than it has been before I did anything.
I was able to do all this for about $150. BTW, you can get the vacuum units from Harbor Freight for about $10 when they are on sale. You do need a good air compressor to make it work.
Thanks for your responses.
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 10:34 AM
  #12  
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On mine i just put it to auto and put the temp down to (how ever low it goes) and it gets going fine in about 5 minutes
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 10:45 AM
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I got a 97 maxima, mine had the same problem, it wasnt blowing cold, it ended up beeing the a/c compressor relay. It would work rarely. Try that.
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