Nissan Repair: 93 nissan maxima electric woes, nissan maxima se, automatic climate control

Question
Hello,

I own a 1993 Nissan Maxima SE with approximately 65,000 miles and have been experiencing some electrical woes.  I have checked all of the answers you have given other owners and have not been able to find the problems I am experiencing. A brief explanation follows.

My car has the automatic climate control, which display is partially dimmed to the extent that it is extremely difficult to see in daylight.  If I turn on the car´s lights, the display dims even more.  The Air Conditioning system seems to be working fine otherwise.

The other problem occurs with the electric locks.  They work fine when the ambient temperature is around or below 80 degrees.  However, if the temperature rises above approximately 83 degrees or the car stays in direct sunlight for some time the electric locks stop working by all of the three common switches, i.e. numeric keypad, turning the key at the lock and using the switch on the driver's door.

In any case there is a sound, probably related with a relay, below the instrument panel.

I really appreciate any help you can send me.

best regards,

Miguel


Answer
Miguel,

The lights on the climate control can be replaced by removing the control head to get to the back side of the unit.  Go to Radio Shack for replacement bulbs as the dealer wants $5 each and you get two from radio shack for less.  The door lock issue is probably the electronic keypad on one of the doors or the master switch on the driver's door.  On the exterior pad there have been some that crack internally allowing a short to occur when it gets really hot outside or when it rains.  The interior panel will do much the same in shorting open where nothing works.  The interior switch is the easiest to replace with only one screw.  Source one from a wrecking yard or a new one from rockauto.com is under $100 bucks.