Nissan has a reputation for manufacturing safe and reliable vehicles. Unfortunately, even the best car manufacturers sometimes fall short of their goal. Nissan Altima AC problems began with the 2013 model and have continued at least until the 2019 model. While air conditioning isn’t critical to the safe operation of your vehicle, most people understandably consider it a must-have feature.
What are the most common Nissan Altima AC problems?
Four problems account for the majority of the problems with the Nissan Altima’s AC system.
These problems are:
- The compressor control valve
- Refrigerant leak
- Electrical climate control failure
- AC Compressor
The good news is, Nissan Altima AC problems are usually repairable. Some of them are a relatively easy fix, and some are more expensive. We’ll explore these issues and what you can do if you are experiencing them.
Nissan Altima AC Overview
Climate control software varies based on the make and model of the car, as manufacturers aim to make improvements in the existing design. However, the basic components and function of the air conditioning system itself remain largely the same.
The compressor compresses the refrigerant into a high-pressure gas. The condenser condenses, or turns the gas into a liquid as some heat is released into the outside air. The receiver removes any water from the refrigerant. It then enters the receiver, which removes any moisture from the refrigerant.
Then it goes to the expansion valve. This reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, which also reduces its temperature. Then it goes through the evaporator. Air from the cabin passes through one side of the evaporator while the refrigerant passes through the other side.
This removes the heat from the air, which is then blown through the vents. The refrigerant travels back to the compressor to repeat the process.
The Four Common Nissan Altima AC Problems
Compressor Control Valve
A bad compressor control valve can cause your AC system to malfunction. The most common sign of a faulty control valve is that the air coming out of the vents isn’t cooled properly. It may be slightly cool or warm. It also causes the suction pressure to increase above normal levels, while the discharge pressure remains the same or lowers.
AC Refrigerant Leak
The most common cause of a Nissan Altima refrigerant leak is a leak in the low-pressure AC hose. This typically develops at the crimp connection. A refrigerant leak will cause the AC to blow warm or hot air. To learn if this is the problem with your vehicle, you’ll need to run a dye test.
You can have this performed at your local dealership or mechanic shop, but it’s easy to perform yourself. You’ll run the dye through your air conditioner and check for leaks with a UV light. If there’s a leak, you can then have it repaired.
Electrical Climate Control Failure
At the most basic level, your car’s climate control system is the brain that tells your air conditioning system when to run and when to stop. There are several sensors in the cabin of the Nissan Altima that provide information for the climate control system.
If the sensors malfunction, your AC system will not work properly. The Climate control module itself can also fail.
AC Compressor
Luckily, this is actually a pretty rare cause of Nissan Altima AC problems. It is also the most expensive on this list to repair. The most common sign of a bad air compressor is that it no longer blows out cool air. Of course, this is also a sign of the other problems on this list.
The other sign is a noise coming from the compressor. If you hear a strange noise coming from your engine compartment and your AC is no longer functioning properly, there’s a good chance you’ll need to replace your compressor.
