A/C problem with G50. Anyone had this?

[db_autotek]

My '94 G50 has been having some issues with the A/C in the past few days. I think it is the blower fan behind the glove box, but before I go tearing into it I want to see if anyone has had this issue:

The A/C controls light up just fine, and I can hear the compressor click on. Also, when you set it on Max, you can hear a click behind the glove box. (I'm guessing this is a relay/actuator for the high speed)

But no air flow out of the vents. None. The system appears to be working properly, but no flow.

Here's the strange part: Sometimes it works perfectly fine.

Anyone had this wierd problem?

[xerexabante]

try to hot wire your blower, if it works then put a switch till you have more money to replace other parts.

[elwesso]

plan on replacing the blower motor and the resistor.

[qship96]

Wes is correct-exact symptoms I experienced on my 96-but in the dead of winter when you really needed the blower to defog the windscreen and warm the interior! started intermitantly,then just died-replaced blower motor/fan and all is good again! { resistor was fine}
Modified by qship96 at 2:20 PM 7/4/2007

[Q451990]

Do you hear the fan blowing... just no airflow out of the vents? If so, it sounds like the air mix door arm is broken. It's a common issue on the 94+ Q45.

Heath

EDIT: Just reread your original post. Maybe it's an intermittant electrical connection - a broken mix door wouldn't fix itself.

[qship96]

fan motor,when worn will sometimes work perfectly,sometimes not work at all-this is how mine started to die-going over bumps or smacking the lower glovebox trim would start motor going-finally in the end nothing would get it started! upon replacement,the old motors brushes were so worn down,you could see they were not making electric contact-why fan wouldnt spin.

[db_autotek]

Lol yeah that's about what mine is doing. [fan] works perfect sometimes and doesn't work sometimes. Then when I go around a sharp corner or a speed bump, it kicks on. Totally bizzare. After much thought, I agree it is the blower motor.

There is no sound coming from the blower (when it's not working) but I can hear the other parts function normally. (mix door motor makes normal brief sounds when buttons are pressed)

As usual, parts seem to break when stressed the most. In florida summer, AC's take a beating. And in the dead of winter, ya gotta use the heater alot.

[Jesda]

I had this problem on a first-gen Altima. I removed the blower, took it apart, cleaned it out, and reinstalled it. Good as new. If you take a hammer and lightly tap the blower (with the inlet/outlet pointing down), you'll probably get a nice pile of black soot.

[db_autotek]

Thanks Jesda now I know there's still hope, lol (trying to save the 99$) . I was going to try removing / cleaning it and I will probably go the extra mile to dissasemble (if possible) and clean the brushes and contacts. From past experience I know gunk (even leaves!) can build up in there over 10 years.

Thanks. I will update in case anyone finds the solutions helpful.

[qship96]

most likely you will need to budget for a whole new motor or replacment brushes,as thats what has worn down to the bone-no way of "fixing" them

[Black stallion]

Which is why a/c companies should be "required" to do R&D in the South. You not only have to cool things, but you have to remove all this humidity(moisture) first!

[Q45tech]

Dirty evaporators don't work well in removing humidity. The slime acts as an insulator.

The use of evap air filter is another problem as people don't want to spend money changing them..............damed if you do and damned if you don't

Every AC system is tested in Arizona at 120F brand new unfortunately they cannot magically correct owner abuse by failure to service and maintain system.

Few owners change the oil, vacuum system, replace receiver dryers, remove and clean condensers allowing a year by year decline in performance.

The bulk of the systems usually last at least thru warranty [4 years]without degrading enough for average owner to notice. DAMAGE has been done but the lack of mainteance continues until a serious failure occurs.

Most smart people have their home ac serviced/checked annually, yet they wait on cars until it fails?

[Black stallion]

This is very true. Don't know why, but some people can see the blinding lights and still choose darker glasses!

[qship96]

q45tech,how can you effectivly clean evap w/o removing it? is that BG foam injection effective,or what method do you suggest? also go over condenser cleaning,please!

[maxnix]

Both sides of the condenser is easily cleaned with compressed air and soap and water if necessary.

Wes has a nice little post about cleaning the evaoprator coils, and there are a couple of other threads on repair and maintenance.
Modified by maxnix at 4:42 PM 7/6/2007

[Q45tech]

The foams work if you start using them every year from brand new, otherwise you they just clean the top and front side somewhat.........better than nothing........................water pick pulsating tooth cleaner or some tiny nozzle thru the fan speed controller port.

I remove and clean my condensers and evaps periodically, as I do with rad........use a fin straightener tool.

Condensers are inexpensive aftermarkets $85-$150 depending on year.Evaps and valve are the expensive replacements

[db_autotek]

UPDATE

Thanks for all the input!! It was the motor brushes, worn down too far to make proper contact. So I purchased a new motor for $99 from AutoZone. It was a special order, which takes a couple days to come in. In the meantime, I figured I would clean up the whole system and hopefully still have AC for the couple days untill the new part comes in. Removing the fan is easy, and opening the motor up and cleaning it is also easy. As mentioned by Jesda, you can get some more life out of the old motor by simply cleaning and adjusting the brushes.

I only did this to verify the problem and to get working AC while I wait for the part. (its hot as heck right now)

Here's the pics:

(notice the NiCO ECU thanks again guys

Once you get the fan out of the car, it opens with a couple screws and then everything slides apart easilly.

Brushes worn so far that the wires are catching on the brush housings, causing them not to extend fully to reach the motor.

This is obviously something you want to clean... The fan blade assembly comes off the motor shaft with one small nut. I soaked it for about an hour in hot water, then scrubbed with a small brush under running water.

Re-assembly is easy, but while you're at it, go ahead and open up as much of the system as you can and clean inside it. Your AC will smell better and feel fresher, not to mention function more efficiently.

[Q45tech]

Great pictures! Pleasure to see someone who actually understands how a dc electric motor works.

Similar situations with starters, alternators, wiper, window, sunroof, seat motors.

10-13 years is a long time without maintenance.........even with!

My 90Q has a fan motor from a 1995 wreck that sat a few years but still its getting old and squeeks when cold.

See the rubber cooling duct to cool and clean commutator.

[maxnix]

An Article worthy post, db-autotek.

Thanks.

[AZhitman]

Article-ized! Please let me know what you'd like as a custom title, db!

[jerrya]

Hi great pictures on your a/c fan motor. Mine just quit working on a 94Q, tapped it and it came back on. My problem is getting to it, how did you pull the glove box? I found the bolts on the top front of the glove box but can't so far find the rest of them. Thanks in advance Duane

[Haitian_King]

MY Q just blows air now. It used to blow cold when I bought it. But now, it blows regular air. I tried refilling it, the gauge told me that I have a full coolant reservoir. How can I remedy this? I don't want to take it to a mechanic and he tells me I'll need a complete overhaul or something. I assume it's the condenser, but then again, I have an almost minute knowledge of A/C systems.

[Q45tech]

Rare for condenser to just fail unless leaking from a wreck or orings

" I don't want to take it to a mechanic {?} and he tells me I'll need a complete overhaul or something."

Why would you take an AC system to a MECHANIC when you need a Certified AC Technican to diagnose.

About every 10-12 years that's exactly what cars need a complete overhaul .......................the $2,000 worth of ac parts need replacing.

Only half of depreciation is the new wearing off and paint dulling, the other half is the amount of money you eventually will spend to rehabilitate systems.

[Haitian_King]

Uhhh.

Why would I take it to a mechanic? Maybe because I have no clue what the problem is or how to fix it. Seeing as this person has some sort of automotive training, at least they'll be able to diagnose the problem and refer me to a "Certified AC Technician". Dig?

Well my car hasn't been involved in a wreck. I don't know why it's not blowing cold. My refrigerant level is full, I can't add any more.

What's making it not blow cold?

[db_autotek]

Hi great pictures on your a/c fan motor. Mine just quit working on a 94Q, tapped it and it came back on. My problem is getting to it, how did you pull the glove box? I found the bolts on the top front of the glove box but can't so far find the rest of them. Thanks in advance Duane

1.) There's two bolts/screws inside the glovebox. Open the glovebox and you'll see two caps (one on either side of the storage area) covering the screws. Pop off the black felt caps with a small flathead screwdriver, and there they are.

2.) Pop off the lower plastic shin guard below the glovebox. It's just in with pop clips. Now you can see the rest of the bolts and screws. I forget how many you actually have to take off, but I just kept removing screws till the glovebox fell on my head lol.

There ya go. Sorry I'm late... busy with insurance a-holes. (see my other new post for a sad demise of a good Q45)

[Q45tech]

Alas, my Q got infected from this thread. No fan today. Oh well it's been 5 years since I put the used 94 unit in.........17.5 year old cars are so much fun.

[db_autotek]

Hahaa well it kept the car cool for a looong time. Even the Q45 Guru is not immune to the failing fan, lol. Clean and reinstall untill the new one comes in.

I imagine that this problem will become fairly widespread over the next couple years, as more and more fans are reaching the end of their life.

And remember the number one rule of auto parts: parts will typically fail when they are stressed the most. For A/C parts: summertime.

[Haitian_King]

Really love the no response to my question. But, what the hey. It's NICO right? I should be used to the tardiness.

[Jeff Williams]

Really love the no response to my question. But, what the hey. It's NICO right? I should be used to the tardiness.

The engine coolant has very little to do with the A/C. What you problabley need is more freon in the A/C system. Take it toa mechanic that cahrges A/C systems, and he maybe can fix you up for about $150.

[Jesda]

Thats much more thorough and safer than my "Yank it out and beat on it with a hammer" method.