Nowadays, it is almost a necessity to have air conditioning on in your car during the hot summer weather. But when this aircon malfunctions it is one of the worst feelings ever. It seems like you are sitting in an oven just waiting to get roasted. To help solve this problem, we will be looking at the AC problems in the Nissan Navara.

The main cause of AC problems in the Nissan Navara is usually a lack of refrigerant or damage to the condenser. The former causes the car not to be able to cool as well as it once did. This can easily be fixed by refilling the refrigerant.

In the case of the damaged condenser, the AC system cannot function as it relies on this. For such cases, you will have to replace the condenser unit and that may be rather expensive.

Time to look a bit deeper into these problems and a few more. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will know how to fix the problem in your car or even prevent it.

The working of the air conditioner  

Before going into detail about these problems and solutions, it may be helpful to know how the AC system of your car works. The first step is for the refrigerant in your car to get compressed to a high temperature and pressure. The compressor run by the engine performs this task. In the end, you have a hot, high-pressure gas.

This gas then passes through the condenser to cool down and become a liquid again but at the same pressure. The high-pressure liquid then passes through an expansion valve that cools down the liquid rapidly and reduces its pressure. This cold liquid then passes through multiple pipes in the evaporator cooling them down.

When the fan blows air over these pipes, the cabin cools down while the liquid warms up to an extent again. The process is then repeated from the compressor.

Lack of refrigerant

The amount of refrigerant in the system determines how cold the evaporator gets. Thus, if there is less refrigerant in the system, the temperatures in the evaporator won’t be as low and consequently, there would be lower cooling in the cabin. This problem can simply be sorted by adding more refrigerant.

However, if you add too much, you might end up damaging the system. Thus, it is our recommendation to let a professional handle it.

Moreover, the refrigerant acts in a closed circuit – there should be little to no consumption of it. Thus, if there is a lack of refrigerant, then there is probably a leak somewhere that needs to be plugged. A professional will be able to track this leak too.

Condenser Damage

The condenser is a series of tubes placed at the front of your vehicle to help cool down the high-pressure refrigerant and turn it back into a liquid. It is in fact placed right behind the front grill of your car and therefore prone to damage.

Numerous users have reported that their condensers suffered damage due to oncoming debris. Small pieces of rocks can damage these thin tubes and puncture them. Once there is a puncture, it may lead to a leak of the refrigerant and cause additional problems as seen above. Moreover, not all the gas can successfully convert into liquid leading to suboptimal functioning of the AC.

Unfortunately, in this case, you must get the entire condenser system replaced. But you can prevent this from happening in the future. There are numerous aftermarket grill meshes that you can add to your car to help block any debris.

Air Control Switch not working (Compressor not engaged)

The compressor of the AC system in the Navara is always connected to the engine. Thus, it uses an electromagnetic clutch to turn on the compressor when required for the AC. Sometimes, the AC problems faced by Nissan Navara owners are related to this electromagnetic clutch.  Either it doesn’t get the signal to activate, or it gets the signal to activate but it does not actuate.

For the first case, you will need to check the harness and relay box for the problem. Since the electrical circuit diagrams of a car can often drive one crazy, you should probably ask a professional to look at it.  

In the latter case, you have no choice but to replace the compressor. Fortunately, it is one of the most exterior systems and thus relatively easy to replace if you have the right tools and know-how.

Fan resistor problems

Another common AC problem faced by Nissan Navara users is that their AC won’t function at all the various fan speeds available in their car. This tends to happen when one of the resistor banks (corresponding to that respective speed) stops working. These resistances are responsible for controlling the current to the fan and thus its speed.

Hence, if you face this problem, all you must do is replace the concerned resistor bank. Supposedly, this is quite expensive if you do it at the dealership. That’s why if you have confidence in your skills, you can try to replace the resistor bank of the blower on your own.

Weird Smell In AC

A very simple and common problem faced by people around the world is that their AC gives out a strange smell when they turn it on after some time. This is due to the AC system sitting stagnant for a long time, especially during cold or rainy months. It allows bacteria to grow inside the AC ducts and what you smell is their scent.

It is not something to worry about as if you leave the AC on for a while, the smell will die down slowly as the bacteria is purged. Alternatively, if you are worried about this happening, you can spray some anti-bacterial into the AC vents to prevent the growth of bacteria in the first place.

Blocked Filters

Some owners report that their AC is working only on the passenger side and not the driver’s side or vice versa. Such an issue can be traced to the filters used in the AC systems. These filters are used to filter the air after the fan blows it into the cabin.

However, sometimes due to external dust or debris, these filters can get clogged. At such times, it may seem like the aircon is working on only one side of the car.

Luckily, this is also a simple fix. All you need to do is take your filters out and clean them once before you can enjoy the AC again. To avoid such AC problems in your Nissan Navara, just remember to get the AC filter cleaned regularly as prescribed in the owner’s manual.

Final Thoughts

The problems discussed above are the most common AC problems that you can encounter in the Navara. Hopefully, the problem you are facing doesn’t fall outside of this list. Some of the solutions listed above can easily be done at home.

For the rest, it is best if you let a professional take a look at it. With any luck, you will be chilling in your cool airconditioned car in no time, beating the summer heat! If you are facing any other problems with your Nissan Navara, be sure to read our other articles on them!

If you are looking for problems with Ford Focus Air Con read more here : yourmotorguide.com/ford-focus-air-con-not-working

FAQ

Why is my Nissan not blowing cold air?

 If your Nissan’s air conditioning system is not blowing cold air, there could be a number of reasons why. Here are some possible causes:

• 1. Low refrigerant levels: If your Nissan’s refrigerant levels are low, it can cause the air conditioning system to blow warm air instead of cold. This can be caused by a leak in the system or simply by normal wear and tear over time.
• 2. Clogged air filter: A clogged air filter can restrict airflow to the air conditioning system, causing it to blow warm air instead of cold. Make sure to check and replace your Nissan’s air filter regularly to avoid this issue.
• 3. Faulty compressor: The compressor is responsible for compressing the refrigerant and circulating it through the air conditioning system. If the compressor is faulty or not working properly, it can cause the air conditioning system to blow warm air.
• 4. Electrical issues: Electrical issues, such as a blown fuse or malfunctioning relay, can also cause the air conditioning system to stop working properly

Why is my aircon working but no air?

In summary, a clogged air filter, faulty blower motor, electrical issues, or damaged ductwork can all cause your air conditioning system to work but not blow any air. Depending on the cause of the issue, you may be able to fix it yourself or require the assistance of a professional mechanic. It’s important to address this issue promptly to avoid further damage to your vehicle’s air conditioning system and ensure your comfort while driving.