[theavenger]

The high pressure AC hose blew on my 2003 Xterra. I had it replaced and recharged last month. Now after maybe 5 minutes of engine warmup, the compressor kicks off and on about every 5 seconds. The fan is running and everything electrical works fine. This compressor on/off cycling is only a problem at low speed. At highway speed it cools just fine.

I put my refrigeration pressure guage on the low side and it reads 55 psi, a little high. When the compressor kicks off it climbs to around 70 psi. I have nothing to check the high pressure side with. I find no obvious loose wires around the compressor.

I would hate to take this back to the same shop that charged me $350 to replace that high pressure hose. Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[silverbullet]

55 PSI when the compressor cycles on means something is blocking the flow of refrigerant. Your high side can handle about 500 PSI so that pressure must have gotten WAYYYYY up there. Low side should typically cycle between 20 and 40 psi when the compressor is on and go to about 80 when off. I'd say get a gauge set to monitor both sides. The low side isn't realy a good indiciator of anything. High side tells you alot more.

 

[raiderfernie]

Be careful attaching and detaching the high pressure lines, its dangerous if you don't know what you are doing. In all honesty, take it to a mechanic who does nothing else than AC. If they do free quotes, it wont cost you a dime. Get 3 quotes to be sure. That is what I would do, and then you can decide if you want to fix it yourself or pay somebody.

 

[areyes]

how did your high side hose break was it at a connection or out the side of the hose???cause bullet's right those hoses can handle alot of psi so if it burst then somthing happened inside your system like your engine fan never came on to cool the condenser or something. the compressor on off is the internal overloads that open up and shut off the compressor when it is overheated. Something else might be up with your system your better off taking it in to someone who know's what they are doing

 

[theavenger]

Thanks for the replies. I never saw the high pressure hose after it failed , so I don't know where it came apart at. I do know that oil blows back into my guage from the low pressure side when I hook it up. This is a supposedly highly reputable garage that did the work for me. Maybe I need to ask them about it first. I just thought the $350 hose replacement and recharge was too high, even though the hose is a $100 Nissan dealer only item.

My Xterra has been the most trouble-free vehicle I have ever owned, but it's getting older now. I
have put only 91,000 miles on it since I bought it in 2003. Oklahoma City is really spread out, so most of our vehicles average about 20,000 miles a year.

 

[uncletwodogs]

Had the cycle on/off problem on a hardbody a few years back and it was the compressor. Try to find a clean compressor from a salvage yard that specializes in nissan/yotas/etc. you
should be able to score one for btwn $50&$100 with a guaranty/exchange policy. But price a new one just to be competitive and bargain with folks..this economy is prime-time for low-ballin' buddy! Good luck!

 

[southlandsteve]

2000 xterra blows cold then sometimes warm????? can't figure it out. if compressor bad it should always be hot air?

 

[goldvisaguy]

I have a 2003 xterra with 35k miles. The AC just stopped working and had my garage test the system.. They put dye in the system to check for leaks and it appears to leak everywhere.. So they are quoting me about $1200 in parts.. replacing just about everything except the compressor... Has anyone had a complete ac system failure?

I trust the garage as I know them very well and do not suspect any shadyness going on.

 

[uncletwodogs]

My compressor was cycling on and off, on and off every few seconds, I couldn't understand it either, but got it replaced and problem solved. I'm not saying that's what's wrong with your's bro, I just wanted to give input since I had a similar problem. Good luck and always get a second opinion.

 

[theavenger]

Here's some new information: I ran my A/C this morning in the "cool" morning (75 degrees) air. The compressor never kicked off during the entire 25 minute/ 15 mile drive to work, with a good deal of idleing time. At idle is where the cycling problem occurs. I conclude my compressor cycling problem is related to outside temperature thus higher temperature under the hood. My temperature guage indicates normal temperature range either in the morning or in the heat of day, so I don't know what gives. The Xterra has no electric condenser cooling fan that I'm aware of, but I am close to the worlds worst mechanic.

 

[silverbullet]

The condenser fan was only on the 00 to 01 models I'm pretty sure.

 

[goldvisaguy]

I bought the Dura Cold do-it-yourself refill kit and now have Cold air... However, I do not get much cold air until I put in over 45PSI (low Side). The recommended maximum is 38PSI.. I wonder is the gauge incorrect?? Does this make sense?