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Air Conditioning Relay?

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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 09:32 AM
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Default Air Conditioning Relay?

So my 03 has been blowing warm air for awhile now -- in the winter it was no big deal, but now it's hot outside and I want my A/C back.

If I remember correctly, there should be an audible 'click' when you cycle the A/C on and off. But when I turn the fan to some non-zero setting and then press the A/C button, it's dead quiet -- all I get is the A/C light switching on and off. Seems like a dead relay. A few posts I saw mentioned an 'A/C relay', but I've had the center console apart and there's nothing in that white cabin control box that would qualify as a relay, nor can I find anything similar in either fuse box.

I also don't get any clutch engagement sounds or RPM movement (even turning on the headlights will move the tach by a half-needle) and I don't think there's anything leaking.

Any ideas? Does this mythical relay exist, or am I headed for an owner/dealer encounter? (If so, barf.)
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 04:25 PM
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the first thing you need to check is whether you have refrigerant in the system. get or borrow a set of gauges and connect them to the high and low pressure lines.

things that tell the AC compressor to turn off: pressure too low, pressure too high, WOT, and your AC button obviously.

fyi, the clicks you usually hear can be the pressure sensor clicking or the clutch engaging.
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 04:39 PM
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Not familiar with the A/C system on the Z, but some cars have a site glass on or near the dryer that you can use to tell if you have a charged system or not.
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 04:46 PM
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Just checked the service manual...our A/C systems have a self-diagnostic feature to be used with Consult-II. Off to the dealership for you.
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 05:06 PM
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Wet windshield or raise wiper blades.
Sit in your car with the drivers door open.
Turn ignition on.
Depress and release the door switch 10 times .. every second or so
Turn off ignition, then on again
The horn chirps....
watch as several items get tested.
It includes front wiper, all lights, rear defroster, ac clutch [the clicking you hear]and your cooling fans.
It runs 3 times and can be stopped by turning off the ignition.

It will tell if your clutch is engaging..
When the fan motor goes bad.. it blows the fuse..
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 07:06 AM
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how funny..I'm having the same issue!..I am very familiar with our A/C system, I have had to fill it 6 times now!! (from pulling motor out)

So, I had a leak in one of my lines, fixed the leak, went to vacuum the system yesterday to fill the refrigerant, and my AC is not turning on either...fuse is fine, did the nissan ac procedure, the on off cycle of ac controls to no avail...IS THERE A RELAY??? if the compressor wont turn on when refrigerant is too low...how can i fill it up enough to make it turn on? as it wont fill enough without the compressor on in the first place!


oh yeah, i tried running power to the engage wire that powers the AC compressor..when I trigger the power on, the clutch engages...so I am thinking a relay of some sort as well...

please help

Thanks

TODD

Last edited by 350zDCalb; Jul 12, 2007 at 07:13 AM.
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 07:17 AM
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my a/c has a mind of its own, it blows hot @ 60 degrees, but cold @ 75. It also blows on high when turned off, but doesn't blow when set @ medium fan. I've learned to just play with the ***** so far. I'm gonna follow this thread...
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 03:24 PM
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bump?
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by dlperrien
my a/c has a mind of its own, it blows hot @ 60 degrees, but cold @ 75. It also blows on high when turned off, but doesn't blow when set @ medium fan. I've learned to just play with the ***** so far. I'm gonna follow this thread...
+1, my AC just started doing this two weeks ago... thinking about calling a young priest and an old priest...
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Old Sep 4, 2007 | 06:15 PM
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same issues with my 03.. in arizona heat it is brutal without AC.
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Old Nov 6, 2007 | 08:22 AM
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same problem.Car is blowing hot air and the compressor is not coming on at all. Bringing it to the stealership thursday, I have a warranty thank goodness!
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Old Nov 28, 2007 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by dlperrien
my a/c has a mind of its own, it blows hot @ 60 degrees, but cold @ 75. It also blows on high when turned off, but doesn't blow when set @ medium fan. I've learned to just play with the ***** so far. I'm gonna follow this thread...
how funny. similar things are happening to me now:

1. [off] behaves like [auto];
2. usually only on warm days.
3. still no a/c.
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Old Mar 31, 2008 | 04:26 PM
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Bump for help!!!!
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Old Apr 15, 2008 | 10:50 PM
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anyone? anything?
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Old Apr 16, 2008 | 06:48 AM
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Do you have an intake installed on the car??
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Old Apr 16, 2008 | 07:11 AM
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yes, injen CAI
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Old Apr 16, 2008 | 09:27 AM
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check the high pressure line that runs along the cai. 99% of the time they have rubbed through the a/c line causing the refrigerent leak. The marking will be on the underside of the a/c line.
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Old Sep 7, 2011 | 05:19 PM
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anyone figure this issue out?
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Old Sep 7, 2011 | 05:47 PM
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Come on guys i need my a/c for tomorrow! its going to be hot out!!! i have the fuse out of the ac condit slot so my battery doesnt die anymore if i keep that in the car will pull power and the battery dies overnight. Wheres the AC RELAY located. im assuming if i change that itll stop drawing power over time.
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Old May 9, 2014 | 11:07 PM
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Well for all you guys waiting for answers. I have an 08 with gen 3 intakes and my ac went out. After recharging it at my dealership with freon mix with the leak detector I found my leak... It was not where the piping of the intake on driver side hitting the hose but behind the pass intake filter was where the leak is... Idk if the filter rubbing on the condenser made it leak but yeah there's the leak fluid all right there....
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