AC issues on 09 Rogue

[ncsu]

For the past week or 2 my AC has felt very weak. It will blow cool, then switch to warm air. I dropped it off at the local dealership today. When I picked it up they told me it was completely normal and that a 20 degree lower than outside temp is all that could be expected. They were able to get mine to a 28 degree drop. I drove off and imediately knew it was no better. I ran a few quick errands and returned to the dealership and asked the service manager to come feel the air. on the way out to the car he repeated that a 20 degree drop was acceptable and they were able to get 28 on mine. I told him to put his hand in front of the vent. His reply was - " that feels a little warm, let me grab a thermometer to check it". The Rogue said it was 95 outside at the time. He put the thermometer in the vent and we watched it climb to 94 before he agreed that something was not right. The air turned to cool and the temp dropped like a rock down into the low 70's before it returned to blowing hot.

So I gave them the keys to look at it again. They took about 1.5 hrs of searching the system and could not find anything wronge. They have asked me to bring it back in next week for them to tear into the dash to check the baffle flaps to make sure they are working properly. They told me that it had been working properly for the past 20 min before I got it back and I have been zipping all over town and it has worked properly since.

The R134a level is fine and all components are working correctly according to them. They stated that Nissan tech line has only had 3 issues like this so they are not sure.

I will give updates as they figure out what it is.

Cliff Notes: AC not working - freon (134a) is good all components are working... dealership has no idea what is causing it. car goes back in next week.

[kerrton]

Thanks for sharing that with us, I haven't heard of that issue before with the Rogue, and judging from the lack of responses none of our members seem to have had the issue. But we appreciate you posting this issue, and also posting the final diagnosis and fix from your dealer so that we can add this to our library of issues for future reference - if you have this problem then I'm sure someone else will experience it in the future and it's nice to have a reference if and when it occurs.

Thanks again, looking forward to reading about the diagnosis!

[ncsu]

Update: So after picking up the Rogue on Friday the AC has worked flawlessly. I was supposed to drop the Rogue off for them to continue searching on Tuesday. Since it has not acted up, I called and told them I would not bring it in. They agreed that they would not be able to find the issue if it was not acting up at the time. I am not sure, but it appears that they fixed the issue while checking for the problem.

[gpsmoucer]

I've been noticing my AC is not so cool upon starting the car and for the first 5 minutes, or when just idling or driving at low speeds. Once I get above 25 mph I notice an immediate drop in air temperature to what I'd expect all the time.

Doesn't sound like the same issue you're having, but its been enough for me to notice it. I'll add that this is the first summer I've had the car and, as in many places, the temperatures the past few weeks have been close to 90. But still, it's not something I ever noticed in my previous car (10 year old Buick, AC never serviced) nor in any other car I've driven.

[kerrton]

I think I notice the same AC performance, I'll pay closer attention the next time I'm idling with it on and report back. The one thing that makes a BIG difference is using the MAX A/C function, this will kick on the recirculate feature and you'll notice an almost immediate increase in the cooling (i.e. drop in temp).

[Robteesit]

I too have experienced the Rogues heating and a/c issues since the first year I got it 09. It is not as bad as not having no a/c when it is hot or having no heat when it is cold, but it sure is a weak system. I have reported this issue in other forums also, and I think it is just the way the system is designed. It's not enough of a bother to take it to the dealer, who wouldn't find anything wrong I am sure, but it is noticable. It's certainly the worst system in anycar I have ever owned. I have been thinking about putting in that artic freeze brand freon in, I have use that in the past in other vehicles and it does seem to get colder than most R134 system. Well just wanted to put my 2 cents in - and to say you ain't alone in your thoughts on this issue brother.

[THawks]

Ive been noticing something of the same issue, I keep the "re-circulate" on so it does continue pulling the cooler air from inside. One of the main times I really notice it is when I am idling sitting in traffic but once I get moving at highway speeds the interior temperature drops back down.