I searched the forum for tips/advice on what to try to see if I can get my A/C to work again.
1)When I set the A/C to the high setting, both fans turn on.

2)I checked inside A/C fuse, looks okay.

3)The "Lower Pressure hose (the one with the L on the cap) is hot and instead of cold.

4)The compressor does not engage but is spinning and not making any crackling/whining sounds. Seems like the clutch is stuck as the compressor spins but is not released.

5)My recirculate button does not change air pressure nor temperature when I press it. It only lights up.

6)The door/flapper is working properly as I change through Defrost or A/C settings.

My A/C was working fine in fact I had the mechanic add 1 can of freon two weeks ago.(They did hook it up to the gauges alll seemed well with the exception of needing freon)
The recirculate button has never worked since I got it. I know with other vehicles once the button is pressed you can hear the A/C get louder and more air comes out of the vents; feels colder too)

Could be a coincidence but I did change the mode from top vents to lower vents, for the feet area. I changed it back to top vents turned the vehicle off. On my way home yesterday, the A/C would not get cold. It usually takes 11 minutes before it start to feel cool in my vehicle but then again I am in "Texas" so I figured that's expected.


any suggestions?

thanks in advance.

 

When you checked the flaps to see if they were working did you check the Air Mix door flap? Mine failed... Got stuck w/ heat even though my A/C was working......

 

I could see the flapper closing mid way, then if A/C is on max, it closes all the way.

 

When you saw that the compressor was not engaging, that is the focus point of your diagnostics. You don't need to concern yourself with air mix, recirculate, defrost or any of the stuff under the dash.

Most likely the refigerant (you called it "freon") which is R134A has leaked out to the point where there is not enough left. The car has a low pressure sensor for the refigerant and if it has activated, the compressor will not turn on.

Get the car tested for an a/c leak.

 

Agreed with DennisMik. Most likely a freon leak if your getting are blown in but it's warm.

 

What year? your Sig says 02? are you in the correct forum?
If you get a copy of the FSM, it has the procedure (at least my 96 version does) for checking the operation via the control panel.

Could be the clutch, could be the charge. Why did they add refrigerant? was it working before that? Did they evacuate the system to see how much was in it before they added more?

 

I do have a 1997 max, use to own 2002. When I had it checked the guy stated I need about a can of refrigerant to reach the normal safe range. FSM?

1997 SE
5 speed
auto climate control

 

Factory Service Manual

Download from either of these 2 sites:

http://boredmder.com/FSMs/

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/

The file named fwd.pdf is the "cover page" file, the starting point.
The file named idx.pdf is the alphabetical index.

 

thanks I will look through it. I sure hope it will be a low cost repair.....

 

I remember my AC was blowing all hot air as well. I picked up a can of 134a and refilled it. It blew cold air for probably 2 days. Then went back to hot. Realized it was my Evaporator Core (located behind the glove box) that was leaking. While replacing that I replaced my thermal expansion valve as well. Took it to a shop to get vacuumed/charged. It's been blowing ice cold ever since beginning of summer.

 

recharge

 

I'm having the exact same problem with a 96 Maxima and came across this thread.

Basically at the same spot. Took my car out in the morning and AC worked fine. Parked it and then went out 5 hours later and it was blowing hot the whole time.

I see the clutch disengaging and engaging. It spins when the AC was switched on and then stops spinning when I turn the AC switch off, but I don't know how to tell if the compressor is engaged or not. How can I tell this? OP mentioned something about crackling/whining sounds. I have previously noted a whining sound when at idle, but when I went to inspect it it had gone away. possibly compressor making that noise? It is not currently present.

I've already gone to a mechanic and his gauge read low pressure, although the system was charged. his diagnosis was that the compressor is bad. I would hate to buy a compressor when I really don't need to, so if there's anything else I can try please advise. Thanks!

 

The fan belt goes around the pulley on the a/c compressor. This pulley is part of the clutch, the outer ring. When the engine is running, this pulley will always be turning. But the very center of the clutch will not be turning if the a/c is not turned on. When you turn the a/c on, an electromagnet locks the outer pulley to the center hub and you will hear a fairly loud click and you can see the center part turning. When you see the center hub spinning, the compressor is engaged.

In order for the mechanic to read any pressure, the compressor has to be engaged (or turning). I am not sure of what the mechanic was trying to tell you. I think the best thing for you to do is take it to another mechanic and get another opinion. Don't tell him that you already took it somewhere because he'll probably ask you "what did the other guy say?" Let him do his own diagnostics.