Non-stop on/off air compressor/Hesitation/Warm air

Tiny
NCBLUEICE8
  • MEMBER
  • NISSAN XTERRA
I have a 2004 Nissan Xterra with 41,000 miles. A few months ago I noticed a clicking noise that I had never heard before. I found out that it was my air compressor turing on and off. It turns on and then right back off, so it is a continual clicking noise. If I have the AC on when I am driving the car hesitates every time the compressor clicks on or off. It feels like my car is holding back every few seconds. Like someone tried to pop it into neutral but then decided to put it back into drive. My air conditioner is also lacking in its ability to blow out cold air. When I turn the AC on it feels like it is blowing room temperature air out. I thought maybe, just maybe I might be low on freon, so I refilled it and that definitely wasn't the problem. The clicking noise that the air compressor is making when it turns on and off is driving me insane and the room temperature air is waaaay too hot for me. I live in Florida and I have noticed that I am better off driving with the windows down than sweltering with the 80 degree air blowing in my face from the AC. If anyone has any idea what could be wrong, please let me know! Thanks!
Tuesday, June 12th, 2007 AT 1:27 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
PATCH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like the AC compressor is trying to lock up which is what they do. Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when doing the job.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-air-conditioner-compressor

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/re-charge-an-air-conditioner-system

Please run down these guides and report back

Cheers
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Wednesday, June 13th, 2007 AT 7:41 AM
Tiny
BRIANMC1975
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
@ncblueice8 I have the exact same problem! I tried replacing the "Thermo Control Amplifier" or some similar part for the 2004 model and it worked for about a week. Then its back to the same on/off clicking noise w/ minimal cold air blowing out. What could be the problem?
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi BrianMC1975,

If you have filled in freon prior to it occurring, then it is overfilled.

Get the high and low pressure readings and let me know what they says.
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 AT 12:27 PM
Tiny
BRIANMC1975
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It turns out the compressor was bad I had to get a new one for $280.00 on Amazon all fixed!@ Thank you for the reply.
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 AT 12:38 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
You're welcome.
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 AT 1:28 PM
Tiny
PAULATL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 NISSAN XTERRA
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 73 MILES
My 02 Nissan Xterra is making a klunking noise off of the AC compressor. I think it is doing it when it turns on and off or when it engages. I'm not sure bout my mechanical terminology.
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 4:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
It could be the compressor clutch that is failing causing the lunking bnoise. Ensure the serpentine belt is in good condition as loss of belt tension can result in the tensioner emitting abnormal noises.
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Wednesday, August 29th, 2018 AT 4:06 PM (Merged)

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