Nissan Repair: Air Conditioning, nissan maxima, compressor clutch

Question
My 2001 Nissan Maxima (86,000 miles)climate control has begun blowing only warm air.  I have it set at it's lowest temp...60 degrees.  It is 70 degrees outside and I get no cold air.  Anything obvious I can check for before I take it in for service?

Answer
Richard,

You can get someone to turn the air on and off while you look from the front of the car with the hood open.  You are listening for the compressor clutch engagement.  If there is no click then the car is out of refrigerant.  You could get a couple of cans of R134 and charge it yourself if the car is just low.  It takes a little under three cans to fill the system and you probably only need to add a can to get it to work properly.  Now, you could have a hole in the system and all the refrigerant could have leaked out.  So, check for the click first and then go to Autozone, Checker or the like and get a recharge kit for about $20 bucks and add that can and see if it does the trick.  If you have a leak it will start leaking out and you should hear it.  Or, if it is slow you could notice oil on the lines or components, under the hood, that are leaking.  So, check it out and email me back if you need further assistance.