1999 New A/C Compressor Issue (1 Viewer)

[Shickalee]

Last year in May, I replaced the AC system with a Denso compressor and component kit. The AC was working fine but I would not say great, as in ice cold. Late fall the AC light started blinking and no AC. I fiddled with the connectors and the A/C started working again but the AC light started blinking and not working a few weeks later. I took the truck into the mechanic to look at the A/C issue. My mechanic advised that I need a new compressor since they tested the compressor with power and ground at the compressor and it is not kicking in. Since I installed a quality new compressor just last spring at a considerable part and labor cost, I was wondering if it is not a given that the compressor needs to be replaced based on the power and ground test at the compressor? Besides not having AC in FL for a planned trip, going thru the mfg warranty and the additional cost to redo the AC is definitely a repair I would like to avoid, if possible. When I asked the mechanic what I should advise the mfg as to the specific issue, I was advised to tell mfg that the clutch went bad.


Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nissanh]

Do you still have the old AC compressor?
How is the freon level? Check the glass window located on the high side line near the condenser right below the driver side headlight? With low freon, AC clutch won't engage. You can see whether it is low by looking at the window. If it is bubbling, low freon. No bubbles can mean two things 1) NO freon or 2) has freon. It may be clear but as soon as the clutch turns off you can see few bubbles and clears out.

Are you good with simple electronics? Then while ENGINE IS OFF, try giving 12 V to the AC clutch wire plug and see whether it clicks.
IF the clutch is bad, all you need is a coil inside the clutch unit. No need to add or remove freon or anything else.

 

[nissanh]

First picture is the glass window. The second picture is the ac compressor wire plug. Connect 12 V to the wire that is going right into the ac compressor

 

[Shickalee]

Do you still have the old AC compressor?
How is the freon level? Check the glass window located on the high side line near the condenser right below the driver side headlight? With low freon, AC clutch won't engage. You can see whether it is low by looking at the window. If it is bubbling, low freon. No bubbles can mean two things 1) NO freon or 2) has freon. It may be clear but as soon as the clutch turns off you can see few bubbles and clears out.

Are you good with simple electronics? Then while ENGINE IS OFF, try giving 12 V to the AC clutch wire plug and see whether it clicks.
IF the clutch is bad, all you need is a coil inside the clutch unit. No need to add or remove freon or anything else.

Thank you for the detailed info. The compressor is still under a full exchange warranty, so looks like I am going to go that route. I'm still out the labor but at least I will have no out of pocket cost for a new compressor.