I've had my 1998 Frontier SE Extended Cab now for a little over a year, and since I bought it, I've noticed that, in addition to really seeming to pull on the engine (I have a four-cylinder), when I run the air conditioning, it causes the engine to "hiccup" occasionally. It's not at any particular specific interval or anything--seems to happen at random. It almost sounds and feels like it's causing a cylinder to misfire or a spark plug to lose spark.
Anybody had a similar problem, and if so, what did you do to fix it? I hesitate to take it to the dealership, as A/C can typically be something that you end up paying big bucks to have repaired, only to have the same problem reoccur (at least in my experience).
I've had my 1998 Frontier SE Extended Cab now for a little over a year, and since I bought it, I've noticed that, in addition to really seeming to pull on the engine (I have a four-cylinder), when I run the air conditioning, it causes the engine to "hiccup" occasionally. It's not at any particular specific interval or anything--seems to happen at random. It almost sounds and feels like it's causing a cylinder to misfire or a spark plug to lose spark.
Anybody had a similar problem, and if so, what did you do to fix it? I hesitate to take it to the dealership, as A/C can typically be something that you end up paying big bucks to have repaired, only to have the same problem reoccur (at least in my experience).
Thanks for any and all ideas! Much appreciated!
Your post is not clear. Do you have an A/C problem where the A/C fails to cool or the blower does not blow? If not then you do not have an A/C problem.
Is the check engine light on? If misfires are happening with any frequency the OBD II computer will set the check engine light on. The A/C creates a fair amount of drag on the engine when the compressor engages and the 4 cylinder engine is not a powerhouse. Are you sure you are not feeling the cycling of the A/C compressor? It might seem occasional depending on engine RPM's and vehicle speed.
In short, what you are describing is normal operation.
Thanks, Steve. What, you can't read my mind?! ;>) I guess I didn't explain myself all that well. Sorry abou that. The A/C cools great--can't leave it much higher than 2 for more than a couple minutes without freezing even when it's 100 out.
The hiccup seems to be happening in the engine, not the A/C compressor, but I guess I could be wrong. Just feels like the engine skips, like I said earlier, just like it had a cylinder missing. But, could it just be that it just feels that way even though it's just the compressor?
If that's the case, and this is normal, then that's music to my ears. Thanks for the info, Steve.
My '98 did this also. Tightening the new AC belt took care of it, very easy. And mine also works great (Arizona), 130K miles, original compressor, also 4 cylinder.
It could also be the A/C compensator solenoid ( I forget the actual name-sorry )that bumps the idle speed up when the compressor cuts on. It is right by the IAV motor but is a separate assembly. It basically creates a controlled vacuum leak to raise the idle speed a couple hundred RPM and compensate for the added draw on the engine.
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1998 Nissan Frontier XE/2wd/5spd 1 owner, 264k miles
1985 Olds Cutlass, 350 Chevy, owned for 14 years
WANTED: 1968-1973 Datsun 510 or 1991-1994 Sentra SE-R http://www.myspace.com/junkyardengineer
Day to day driving with my 4-cyl is no problem, but when I turn the AC on, you can really feel the load (when accellerating from a stop) on the little engine. Also, when the AC is on, I'll get a chirp when the compressor kicks in. It's a bit annoying, but I don't notice any interruption in the engine's performance. I guess the chirp is the belt slipping as it turns faster than the AC condenser can initially spin up. If that is what is happening, I think I'll leave it that way rather than tighten my belt (which may reduce slipping/chirping) but might put a greater instantaneous load on (interrupt) the engine performance.
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Jerry
2004 Frontier, King Cab, XE, 4x1, 4-cyl, 5-spd My Frontier Page
jerryp58 - a load on the engine - you ain't experienced anything until you drive my '88 Mazda B2200 CabPlus with its 80 hp, compared to the '98 Nissan Frontier's 120 hp. I have both, night and day, way more power in the Frontier (but mine's a single cab, so it's not a completely direct comparison). The Frontier wins easily for its AC though.
)that bumps the idle speed up when the compressor cuts on. It is right by the IAV motor but is a separate assembly. It basically creates a controlled vacuum leak to raise the idle speed a couple hundred RPM and compensate for the added draw on the engine.
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