AC causes engine stumble

[Ronmarr1]

Folks,

Have an 01 LE Pathfinder w/o Navi but w/ electronic HVAC controls. Heater seems to work fine - AC does not blow cold. (Blower motor works fine and vent doors seem to be operating normally)

When AC is turned on while parked and I try to maintain a a fast idle ( 1500 rpm or so) the engine will stumble regularly, almost like it stops/starts/stops/starts/stops etc. Turning AC off smooths the engine out after a second or two. Engine does not appear to stumble at higher RPMs.

AC was serviced 2 yrs ago and dye checked.

I think I hear the compressor coming on when I engage the "on" button

Could this be a relay issue? bad compressor?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Thanks

[Towncivilian]

Do you hear the compressor clutch clicking as the compressor cycles? If so, the refrigerant level may be low. I don't know too much about HVAC systems in general, so you may wish to have an A/C shop check things out to see why it's not blowing cold. Unless you have a set of A/C gauges, I wouldn't attempt doing any recharging or anything yourself.

I doubt it's a bad relay, but to rule it out you can swap the fog light relay with the A/C relay and see if the issue persists.