2002 Nissan - Air Blowing Hot...NEED COLD!

[Mike'sGirl]

Okay, need help.....fast! Good advice please!

The air conditioner in my 2002 Nissan Xterra started blowing warm air yesterday. :cry: My husband said the system might need charging (I honesly don't know what that means, but it sounds easy enough to fix).

I called a local garage. The guy told me that it was either of two things 1) need hoses replaces 2) need new sensor.

My question is this.....why did he not suggest that it just might be what my husband mentioned? Is there anyone truly honest out there who will try to get my air going again and not rip me off? I've had very bad experiences in the past with dishonest mechanics. Especially on 'Top of the Hill' in Hattiesburg.

[JMC]

well, if it's leaking freon then techincally, he's right. Charging it up will probably be fine. Try some local guys..lemme find a link to a thread i started last week or week before..

[TheKing]

put a can of freon in it and see how it acts....

can of freon = 10 bucks

the little hose to put it in = 8 bucks

time needed to make this work = 5 minutes

basically crank the car, turn your AC wide open, find the high side of the AC system... its usually pretty apparent with teh black knob and all... stick that thing on there... turn your can of freon upside down and shake it as you open the valve...

if it didnt blow up.. you did it right

congrats!

oh and dont use the 'sealing' stuff... all that winds up happening is 2 years later the entire system is mucked up and you have to take it apart and clean it out.. trust me... i know

my truck has a slow freon leak and i have to put a can in it every year.

[JMC]

there are some names in here.... http://www.myhattiesburg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30167

[brianinms]

Okay, need help.....fast! Good advice please!

The air conditioner in my 2002 Nissan Xterra started blowing warm air yesterday. :cry: My husband said the system might need charging (I honesly don't know what that means, but it sounds easy enough to fix).

I called a local garage. The guy told me that it was either of two things 1) need hoses replaces 2) need new sensor.

My question is this.....why did he not suggest that it just might be what my husband mentioned? Is there anyone truly honest out there who will try to get my air going again and not rip me off? I've had very bad experiences in the past with dishonest mechanics. Especially on 'Top of the Hill' in Hattiesburg.

Well calling a mechanic and asking what is wrong with your vehicle is the same as calling your doctor and asking why you are sick. They need to see the actual problem to diagnose the issue. If its blowing hot air, then I would bet its something to do with your compressor. Perhaps its an electrical sensor issue or actually a bad compressor. Usually if its just low on 132a it will merely not cool enough, but if warm air is coming out continuously it sounds as though its compressor related.

I just had my AC fixed at the shop at Express Oil Change on 98 across from Target. I usually don't let quick lube places work on my truck, but they fixed my issue in under an hour and it was reasonably priced.

[58ford]

Here's the problem if your system needs "charging" then it is leaking somewhere (The freon substitute couldn't get out if there wasn't a hole) you MUST find & fix the leak FIRST or you're just gonna end up "charging" it over & over. All "charging" means is adding more freon to replace what has leaked out.

[cubby 1]

you just need a coolant recharge. go to autozone. get an r-134a recharge kit, and about 4 cans of r-134a. that should be enough to recharge the system. might get some stop-leak, too. it should all be on the same shelf, and is all self-explanatory on how to do the job.... and it will be way cheaper than taking the car to the shop.

[Mike'sGirl]

Sounds to me like the 'recharging' scenario The King suggests would be worth trying..............and it also sounds like something my very capable husband, Echo4Bravo,could take care of this afternoon without a visit to the garage.

I really can't afford mechanic work at the moment :smt009.

[Remington]

MG, did they tell you over the phone or did they look at it? And did it gradually go from cold air blowing to hot air blowing or immediately? Is the fan just blowing or does the compressor kick on when you switch the AC on? Normally, you can hear the compressor kick on or off or you can tell the change in the engine.

[brianinms]

Sounds to me like the 'recharging' scenario The King suggests would be worth trying..............and it also sounds like something my very capable husband, Echo4Bravo,could take care of this afternoon without a visit to the garage.

I really can't afford mechanic work at the moment :smt009.

The main thing is that if the air conditioning is on max ac you need to make sure the compressor clutch is engaged. If its not engaging you can forget about trying to add refrigerant.

[cubby 1]

I really can't afford mechanic work at the moment :smt009.

i know the feeling.

[Remington]

I would hate for you to think that it just needs recharging without checking the other things. The compressor may not be coming on at all and the amount of freon in it may have nothing to do with it. Especially if it went from blowing cold air fine to hot real quick.

[58ford]

MG, did they tell you over the phone or did they look at it? And did it gradually go from cold air blowing to hot air blowing or immediately? Is the fan just blowing or does the compressor kick on when you switch the AC on? Normally, you can hear the compressor kick on or off or you can tell the change in the engine.
You can also open the hood & watch to see if the compressor clutch engages (Round thing on the front of the compressor starts to spin) & tell hubby to have the garage door open & a fan going that R134 isn't too highly toxic but you don't want to breath it if you can avoid it.

[Mike'sGirl]

MG, did they tell you over the phone or did they look at it? And did it gradually go from cold air blowing to hot air blowing or immediately? Is the fan just blowing or does the compressor kick on when you switch the AC on? Normally, you can hear the compressor kick on or off or you can tell the change in the engine.

We only spoke on the phone. The compressor is still working. The system is working as it always has, only the air gradually went from cold, to cool, to eventually warm (or equal to the air temp in the car, which is hot at the moment).

[TheKing]

We only spoke on the phone. The compressor is still working. The system is working as it always has, only the air gradually went from cold, to cool, to eventually warm (or equal to the air temp in the car, which is hot at the moment).

ill bet all my hubbucks that you just need a can of freon(substitute)

[cubby 1]

We only spoke on the phone. The compressor is still working. The system is working as it always has, only the air gradually went from cold, to cool, to eventually warm (or equal to the air temp in the car, which is hot at the moment).

recharge.

[Mike'sGirl]

ill bet all my hubbucks that you just need a can of freon(substitute)

Man, I hope you're right :smt023

[Remington]

Ok, then that sounds like it leaked out. When I first read your post where you said it started blowing hot air yesterday, I took that to mean it went from cold to hot air immediately and was looking for something else. By taking it to a shop, they'll want to fix the leak and fill it, but don't think they will fill it without fixing the leak. If you don't get the leak fixed by a shop, they'll want to suck out the rest of the freon so that the rest doesn't escape out into our tender atmosphere. They have their rules they have to abide by.

[brianinms]

Um, it it went from cold, to cool, to warm .... then it is going to take more than a can of 132a. Furthermore the refrigerant had to escape the system from somewhere, and until thats repaired it doesn't make sense to add more.

[58ford]

Just remember (if that does solve the problem) you'll eventually need to fix the leak. Also, if air has gotten into the system you're gonna have to have someone pull a vacuum on it (after the leak is fixed)
I'm not trying to be full of doom & gloom, I just don't want you making a quick fix that leaves you AC irrepairable.

[Mike'sGirl]

Ok, then that sounds like it leaked out. When I first read your post where you said it started blowing hot air yesterday, I took that to mean it went from cold to hot air immediately and was looking for something else. By taking it to a shop, they'll want to fix the leak and fill it, but don't think they will fill it without fixing the leak. If you don't get the leak fixed by a shop, they'll want to suck out the rest of the freon so that the rest doesn't escape out into our tender atmosphere. They have their rules they have to abide by.


Yeah, I should have described it a bit better. I can understand that they would want to fix the leak, but if it's a slow leak I can probably get by with the recharge.....hopefully.

[Remington]

I guess it all depends on how fast it went from cold to cool to warm.

[Mike'sGirl]

I guess it all depends on how fast it went from cold to cool to warm.

Good point.

[brianinms]

I just did a search on google and it seems as though 2002 Xterra's have a problem with their high pressure hose leaking. If thats the issue then that 132a is going to leave the system as fast as you can put it in.

[Mike'sGirl]

I just did a search on google and it seems as though 2002 Xterra's have a problem with their high pressure hose leaking. If thats the issue then that 132a is going to leave the system as fast as you can put it in.

Thanks for taking the time to look that up. Hmmm.....probably just need to bite the bullet and go get an estimate.

[brianinms]

Here is a link so you can read for yourself ....

http://forums.automotive.com/70/1070385/nissan/2000-xterra-air-conditioning-problem-help/index.html

[TheKing]

i would see how long a charge lasts you... 10 bucks once a year is less costly than hoping they can figure out where the leak is (which usually theyre wrong)

i have little trust in automotive shops...

i have great trust in shadetree mechanics

[58ford]

i would see how long a charge lasts you... 10 bucks once a year is less costly than hoping they can figure out where the leak is (which usually theyre wrong)

i have little trust in automotive shops...

i have great trust in shadetree mechanics
You can put dye in it & see where it comes out to pin point a leak.

[ynotme297]

If the clutch engages then disengages within a few seconds, it prolly needs charging. If it does not engage at all, you may have some type of switch problem. Was it working fine one minute, then quit? Find the "low pressure sensor" usually next to the condensing collector, it will have an electrical plug. Hit the sensor with the handle of a screwdriver. Sometimes they get stuck. See if you clutch comes on. You can also remove the electrical plug and using a paper clip bent into a horseshoe shape, jump across the terminals on the plug thereby bypassing the low pressure sensor. If the clutch engages, change the pressure switch. Take it to Hattiesburg Auto (Tim Hill) on East Hardy next to Craft Auto Sales. He is very reasonable and and knows what he is doing and he will never cheat you.

[Echo Four Bravo]

I went and got a recharge kit with "system safe" sealant and oil. The gauge showed that it was low on refrigerant. It's blowin' icicles now, we'll see how long it lasts. Thanks for all the input, everyone.

[Scarlett O'Hara]

What a nice hubby!!

[my_shade_of_gray]

can't wait to get rid of my gas guzzling nissan.

[my_shade_of_gray]

will never buy anything other than european cars again. miss my jaguar more than my childhood.

[carsalesguy]

will never buy anything other than european cars again. miss my jaguar more than my childhood.

a taurus? pffffffffft. lol

BTW- if you look in the fuel door, it says it recommends premium fuel for optimum performance. if you did run premium, then you would get better gas milage.

you don't need to replace a switch or a hose. but i'm from the top of the hill, so what do i know.

[Fish-Bait]

Carboy....when you gonna' do one of those commercials like Palmer used to do?

[Conveyor Belt]

If the clutch engages then disengages within a few seconds, it prolly needs charging. If it does not engage at all, you may have some type of switch problem. Was it working fine one minute, then quit? Find the "low pressure sensor" usually next to the condensing collector, it will have an electrical plug. Hit the sensor with the handle of a screwdriver. Sometimes they get stuck. See if you clutch comes on. You can also remove the electrical plug and using a paper clip bent into a horseshoe shape, jump across the terminals on the plug thereby bypassing the low pressure sensor. If the clutch engages, change the pressure switch. Take it to Hattiesburg Auto (Tim Hill) on East Hardy next to Craft Auto Sales. He is very reasonable and and knows what he is doing and he will never cheat you.

Remember's CB's rule: If it's not working, hit it with a hammer... or a screwdriver handle.

[itsmyopinion]

Ours went out last summer - just as you explained - we added a can of coolant from an Auto store. It looks like a can of Pledge with a hose attached to it. It's pretty easy to use, or they'll do it for you there at Auto Zone. It's like $12 for a can - and it lasted us all of last year. It's obvious we have a slow leak, because this summer the air started getting warm again. We put another can of coolant in about a month ago, and we're still doing good. I know the problem eventually needs fixing, but as long as I can get away with $12-24 a year and still have cool air, I'll avoid shops like the plague.

[Mike'sGirl]

a taurus? pffffffffft. lol

but i'm from the top of the hill, so what do i know.

Please don't take offense Carsalesguy...

My unprofessional experiences with the "Top of the Hill" service department happened about 5 years ago.....long before you worked there. The sales team was great, but the service department pulled some really dishonest stuff on me. I will never go back.
It's really a shame because I actually like Nissans. I've owned 2 and they've been great vehicles.