noise when air conditioner is on

[Jostudly]

I bought a 2009 base S model Rogue in March. I currently have 7500kms on it. When I am at a stop and in gear I notice a noise when the air conditioner is on. This noise happens every 3-5 seconds and I thought it was just the compressor turning on and off. I also noticed the noise happens when I select the window defogger settings as well. I had Nissan check the car and they said it was the compressor and they installed a new one. Had the same noise still. I brought the car back and they replaced the alternator. I still have the same noise. Now my dealer says they do not know how to fix this noise and will have to look into it. Does anyone else have this noise? Also to top it off I am now being told I need to replace the transmission as there is a rattling noise coming from it and it is on backorder. I like the vehicle and the way it drives but now I am not sure I made the right purchase since this is my first new car and I did not expect to get a lemon. I purchased the vehicle and if they cannot fix the problems I am having I am going to try and get them to replace my vehicle.

Jostudly

[Jostudly]

anyone else have this issue?

[ahhbeebee]

I do get 'noises' on and off with the A/C on. I find the fan in the car louder than most, but its never been enough to bother me.

With respect to my car, certainly there is some cycling, but the noise is not very loud (only perceivable if no one is talking, and only if the stereo is off).

How loud is your noise?

[MR NISMO]

Have you traced where the noise is coming from?

[Jostudly]

It is loud enough when I turn the ac on or the window defrost settings. Like I said in my first post Nissan replaced the compressor and the alternator but still makes the same noise. Nissan does not know how to fix this problem.

[ahhbeebee]

I don't believe anyone has ever reported this issue on this forum.

The noise is obviously loud enough for your Service Dept. to attempt some fixes, but the only reason I ask how loud the noise is, would be to establish to others if they also have this issue.

Noises are quite subjective, as I mentioned, my A/C cycles and is obviously audible, but I've never considered it loud enough to be of any concern.

[Rambuto]

i agree. the ac seems loud compared to other cars. is the compressor to blame for this ?

[coupe240sxguy]

it could be that the a/c system is working to hard... the drier, orfice tube, condensor, or expansion valve could be clogged. also check out your cabin air filterthese are just suggestions/possibilities. good luck with that problem

[Jostudly]

Okay thanks I will have Nissan check this out

[zakmartin]

A detailed description of "the noise" would help.

[Jostudly]

The noise sounds like the compressor is cycling on and off. It is only when I am in gear and at a complete stop that I hear the noise. It comes on and off every 10-15 seconds. When it makes the noise as soon as I turn the AC off it stops. I don't know how else to explain the noise. It is not really loud and if the music is loud enough you would not hear it but I know its there just trying to figure out where its coming from. If anyone else hears a this noise and finds a fix please advise me as my dealer does not know how to fix the problem as they only heard it in a couple of Rogues.

[harryg]

are u sure its not the second cooling fan coming on???

[veemexx]

Hello Jostudly,

I have an '09 Rogue SL and suffer from the same noise with the AC on, in gear and at a complete stop.

The noise goes away when AC is switched off, or gear shifted to neutral, or the brake pedal released.

I tried to locate the origin of the noise and it seems to be coming from the engine. It sounds like the engine is knocking/under load at low rpm.

I haven't sent the Rogue in for service yet because I wanted to have an idea what the problem is before sending it in.

I was going to suggest to the service center that it could be a leaky brake booster causing a small vacuum leak, and causing the engine to knock under load at stops.

Did your dealer figure it out eventually?

[coupe240sxguy]

Okay thanks I will have Nissan check this out

i am hanging here just wondering if he died... hopefully not tho

[kuusselka]

I've had this issue as well with an 09 S FWD Rogue as well. Could be the cycling that has been mentioned. It's loud enough that I've sometimes put the car into neutral or turned the AC off when at a stop light to neutralize the noise, but not loud enough to take it in.

I live in Winnipeg Canada, so I only have to worry about it for a few weeks a year.

[Jostudly]

Did anyone find a fix for this problem?

[Rambuto]

Had my first maintenance service yesterday at the dealership. told them about the loud compressor especially when idling at the lights and the ac is on. loud compared to other cars i've had. diagnosis was to replace the compressor. part is in back order and will be available in a couple of weeks. i hope the dealer does a good job in installing it, no leaks etc. from jostudly's post it seems that replacing the compressor did not work though. i'll keep everyone posted what happens.

[Jostudly]

I also hear the noise when the window defogger settings are on now. Anyone have any more ideas on this?

[Gman65]

Did not see anything about the rear defroster, but the A/C comes on for defrosting(front windshield) as well. Find that in the manual... Hope that helps.

EDIT: So problem seems to be focused on the A/C still?

[Jostudly]

No it is not when the rear defoster is on. It is only when a/c is on or front defoggers. My dealer said it has been reported to Nissan Canada but still no fix. Would like to know if anyone has a solution.

[chevlover]

I have this popping noise as well when in drive and stopped. I noticed it starts when the Headlights Lights or the rear defogger is on. It is LOUD. Im having it diagnosed Monday! It drives me crazy when I come to a stop! The weird part is that it only starts with lights On or Rear defogger. It could have to be something to do with the LOAD and the rpm dropping causing this NOISE!

[maverick_rogue]

At the outset I regret the long post but I wanted to be sure I provide you all the details before asking for help.

I have reported an issue about unusual popping noise and RPM fluctuation to Nissan Consumer Affairs recently.

Issue :After recent ECM Update, I have noticed unusual popping/striking noise and RPM fluctuations when AC or Defrost is ON. This happens all the time though I can duplicate it the best while in P or N mode.

How to duplicate :When engine is fully warmed up, and with AC or Defrost ON (in both Cold / Hot mode) and (preferably) if I am in P or N mode, RPMs fluctuate from 950 + to around 750 RPMs with slight vibrations at 750 RPMs. Initially RPMs are at 950 RPMs and slide down to 800 RPMs.Then with a sudden fluctuation/ jerk and a popping noise RPMs moves back to 950 + RPMs. The popping noise seems to be coming from engine side or at times from behind the passenger side. This happens with a frequency of about 30 seconds and normal outside temperature varies from 48 F to 70 F.

I did go to dealership for this and another issue of rough idle in D or R mode a few days back , they did Idle Relearn again (they forgot it the first time though would not admit now ) ,reset Idle RPMs to 710 + and looked for Error Codes and found none.

While this resolved the rough Idle issue , AC popping noise issue still exists.

Dealership claims its normal but I know for sure this wasn't the case a month ago when I did the new ECM update.

I have reported this issue to Nissan Corporate office and they have suggested I revisit the dealership to have the issue duplicated ...again !!!!!. I suspect I will end up getting the same response (It's normal) unless I gather more information/ statistics on this.

I need help from fellow Nissan Rogue owners like you. Would you please let me know if your Nissan Rogue behaves the same way under above mentioned scenario? If yes is it normal? I just want to convince the new dealership I am visiting based on Nissan recommendation that it;s an issue or convince myself that it is not. If you think this is an issue, what could be causing it without generating Error Codes? Dirty Throttle Body? Intake Maniflod? Gasket Leak? Any ideas?

Thanks again

[Pescakl1]

Does it happen also when you are not in AC mode or Defrost?Does it happen only when engine is cold or also when engine is warm?

When engine is cold, it is normal that when AC compressor turns on that you could have some sort of jerk as the compressor takes some energy from the engine to work and at idle with a cold engine, engine is barely running.Any demand of more energy will make the engine revs up a bit.As the AC turns off, the engine will go back to low idle.

[kerrton]

I would say you have a problem, there is no popping noise from my AC or engine, etc.. The only thing that I notice is what Pescal describes, an occaisional dip in rpms when the AC kicks on with engine at idle due to the increased load, but this is very subtle, I don't even notice it most of the time especially if the radio is on. There is also a bit of a humming sound coming from the AC unit itself, but again it's not very loud at all.

My advice would be to be persistent and firm with your dealer, but calm and reasonable as well. Tell them that this popping noise is not normal, and it is a NEW development - the noise was not present before and now it is. If you can replicate the problem for them, it will help. Also, I'd highly recommend that the first thing to do is request that another tech and the service manager ride along with you to replicagte the problem, let them hear the noise when they're both present. Together they won't both be able to deny the noise is abnormal, and from their they can try again to diagnose the problem.

In my exerience even the best dealer service department's may need more than one chance to properly diagnose and correct a problem. Give them another chance, and ask them firmly to please try again. Good luck.

[maverick_rogue]

Does it happen also when you are not in AC mode or Defrost?Does it happen only when engine is cold or also when engine is warm?

No it used to happen that way before Air Relearn and Idle RPM set. But now this happens only when AC or Defrost is ON

When engine is cold, it is normal that when AC compressor turns on that you could have some sort of jerk as the compressor takes some energy from the engine to work and at idle with a cold engine, engine is barely running.Any demand of more energy will make the engine revs up a bit.As the AC turns off, the engine will go back to low idle.

Agreed. The issue is it happens when engine is warm.And it never happened before. Then why now?

[maverick_rogue]

I did more research today and found that everytime I switch headlights on I see a dip (roughly 50 RPMs) and a whiriling sound from engine side (probably alternator). This happens all the time , doesn't matter how many miles I have driven before switching it ON or if AC is ON/OFF. The RPM fluctuations are more when I do this with High Beam. This happens even with all accessories (Stereo , Chargers etc ) off.

The popping sound and RPM fluctuations are more intense when I switch AC/Defrost ON with Headlinghts in ON position. I noticed slight fluctuations when I turn steering wheel as well.

Again my question to the forum is , Is it normal? if not do I have an electrical mechanism issue somewhere?

I am not trying to trouble shoot or be overcautious / paranoid here. I just want to nip this issue in the bud and to restore my Rogue to its earlier condition which I loved. I will really appreciate your responses. That will help me deal with Nissan and its dealers in a better way.
Modified by maverick_rogue at 7:20 PM 2/2/2010

[kerrton]

My Rogue does not behave this way at all, and I'd say this isn't normal for any vehicle. It sounds like you've got an electrical problem, the alternator can't seem to keep up with the demand. If you turn your lights on you should never see an increased load and/or drop in engine rpms. And the fact that you notice the same symptoms when turning the steering wheel is consistent with an electric problem because the Rogue has an electric power steering system, there is no hydraulics, so every time you turn the wheel it draws current.

The good news is, it seems clear that you've got an electric problem and this is easy for a service shop to check. They can check the alternator and battery independantly to diagnose a problem. I'd schedule an electrical check soon.

[maverick_rogue]

Thanks.I am scheduling an appointment with dealership tomorrow.

By the way ,just had a look under the hood with AC ON in P mode. This is the sequence that follows.1. Radiator fan is initially off before I switch AC On. Car in P mode RPMS @ 750.2. As I switch AC ON I hear a loud striking noise from somewhere at the bottom of the engine.Within two seconds of it Radiator fan starts rotating.With the striking noise RPMs jump to around 950 RPM and hover between 950 and 900 before coming down to around 750. 3. Radiator fan rotates for around 10 Seconds and then I hear a louder striking noise and a slight grinding noise. Again RPMs jump and keep hovering.4. Raditor Fan shuts off within four to five seconds of this.5. The cycle repeats again in 12 seconds or so and follows this sequence continuously.

When AC is off, Raditor fan too is off and I do not hear any noise.
Modified by maverick_rogue at 8:54 PM 2/2/2010

[Big_Joe]

I notice the RPM gauge also goes down slightly if I am sitting in park and turn on the headlights or use the air, however I don't hear any noises or anything.

I do notice sometimes when I start driving that the car will sometimes jerk slightly as if I had it in neutral and then switched it to drive while my foot is on the pedal. /shrug

[maverick_rogue]

I created a new thread not knowing this thread and issue exists. Here is the link

zer...fairs

I encountered this issue after recent ECM update. Not sure if its related though.

Does any one know what is causing it? Any resolution?
Modified by maverick_rogue at 11:47 PM 2/2/2010