Nissan Pathfinder: Heater & Air Conditioning System - Symptom Diagnosis

Nissan Pathfinder (R53) 2022-2025 Service Manual / Ventilation, Heater & Air Conditioner :: Heater & Air Conditioning System / Symptom Diagnosis

Heater and Air Conditioning System Symptoms
Refrigeration System Symptoms
Noise

Heater and Air Conditioning System Symptoms Nissan Pathfinder SUV

Symptom Table

SYMPTOM TABLE

Symptom	Reference Page
A/C system does not come on.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for A/C System.	Diagnosis Procedure
A/C system cannot be controlled.	Go to Self-diagnosis Function.	Work Flow
Front air outlet does not change.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Front Mode Door Motor.	DTC Diagnosis Procedure
Mode door motor (front) is malfunctioning.		DTC Diagnosis Procedure
Rear air outlet does not change.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Rear Mode Door Motor.	DTC Diagnosis Procedure
Mode door motor (rear) is malfunctioning.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Rear Mode Door Motor.	DTC Diagnosis Procedure
Front discharge air temperature does not change (LH side).	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Air Mix Door Motor LH.	DTC Diagnosis Procedure
Air mix door motor LH is malfunctioning.		DTC Diagnosis Procedure
Front discharge air temperature does not change).	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Air Mix Door Motor RH.	DTC Diagnosis Procedure
Air mix door motor RH is malfunctioning.		DTC Diagnosis Procedure
Rear discharge air temperature does not change.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Air Mix Door Motor (Rear).	DTC Diagnosis Procedure
Air mix door motor (rear) is malfunctioning.		DTC Diagnosis Procedure
Intake door does not change.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Intake Door Motor.	DTC Diagnosis Procedure
Intake door motor is malfunctioning.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Intake Door Motor.	DTC Diagnosis Procedure
Front blower motor operation is malfunctioning.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Front Blower Motor.	Diagnosis Procedure
Rear blower motor operation is malfunctioning.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Rear Blower Motor.	Diagnosis Procedure
Magnet clutch does not engage.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Magnet Clutch.	Diagnosis Procedure
Insufficient cooling (front).	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Insufficient Cooling.	Diagnosis Procedure
Insufficient cooling (rear).	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Insufficient Cooling.	Diagnosis Procedure
Insufficient heating (front).	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Insufficient Heating.	Diagnosis Procedure
Insufficient heating (rear).	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Insufficient Heating.	Diagnosis Procedure
Noise.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Noise.	Symptom Table
Both high- and low-pressure sides are too high.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Abnormal Pressure.	Trouble Diagnosis For Unusual Pressure
High-pressure side is too high and low-pressure side is too low.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Abnormal Pressure.	Trouble Diagnosis For Unusual Pressure
High-pressure side is too low and low-pressure side is too high.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Abnormal Pressure.	Trouble Diagnosis For Unusual Pressure
Both high- and low-pressure side sometimes becomes negative.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Abnormal Pressure.	Trouble Diagnosis For Unusual Pressure
Low-pressure side sometimes becomes negative.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Abnormal Pressure.	Trouble Diagnosis For Unusual Pressure
Low-pressure side becomes negative.	Go to Trouble Diagnosis Procedure for Abnormal Pressure.	Trouble Diagnosis For Unusual Pressure

Refrigeration System Symptoms Nissan Pathfinder 2025

Trouble Diagnosis For Unusual Pressure

Diagnose using a manifold gauge whenever system’s high and/or low side pressure(s) is/are unusual. The marker above the gauge scale in the following tables indicates the standard (usual) pressure range. Refer to Inspection.

Symptom Table

Gauge indication	Refrigerant cycle	Probable cause	Corrective action
Both high and low pressure sides are too high.	The pressure returns to normal soon after sprinkling water on condenser.	Overfilled refrigerant.	Recover refrigerant, evacuate system, and recharge with the specified amount of refrigerant. Refer to Recycle Refrigerant.
	Air flow to condenser is insufficient.	Insufficient condenser cooling performance. Poor cooling fan rotation. Improper installation of air guides. Clogged or dirty condenser fins.	Repair or replace malfunctioning parts. Clean and repair condenser fins.
	When A/C compressor is stopped, a high-pressure reading quickly drops by approximately 196 kPa (2 kg/cm², 28 psi). It then gradually decreases.	Air mixed with refrigerant.	Recover refrigerant, evacuate system, and recharge with the specified amount of refrigerant. Refer to Recycle Refrigerant.
	Low-pressure pipe is cooler than the outlet of evaporator. Low-pressure pipe is frosted.	Expansion valve opened too much (excessive flow of refrigerant).	Replace expansion valve.
High-pressure side is excessively high and low-pressure side is too low.	High-pressure pipe and upper side of condenser become hot, however, liquid tank does not become so hot.	Clogged or crushed high-pressure pipe located between A/C compressor and condenser.	Repair or replace the malfunctioning parts.
High-pressure side is too low and low-pressure side is too high.	The readings of both sides become equal soon after A/C compressor operation stops. There is no temperature difference between high and low-pressure sides.	Malfunction in A/C compressor system (insufficient A/C compressor pressure operation). Damage or breakage of valve. Malfunctioning gaskets.	Replace A/C compressor. Refer to Removal and Installation.
Both high and low pressure sides are too low.	The area around evaporator outlet does not become cold. The area around evaporator inlet becomes frosted.	Clogged expansion valve. Breakage of temperature sensor. Clogging by foreign material.	Eliminate foreign material from expansion valve or replace it.
	There is a temperature difference between the areas around outlet and inlet pipes of liquid tank. Liquid tank becomes frosted.	Malfunction inside liquid tank (clogged strainer).	Replace condenser (includes liquid tank). Refer to Removal and Installation.
	Evaporator becomes frosted.	Clogged or crushed low-pressure pipe.	Repair or replace malfunctioning parts.
	Evaporator becomes frosted.	Malfunction in intake air temperature sensor.	Check intake sensor system. Refer to Component Parts Location.
	There is a small temperature difference between the high and low pressure pipes for refrigerant cycle.	Low refrigerant charge. Leak or leaks in A/C system.	Check for leaks. Refer to Leak Test. Recover refrigerant, evacuate system, and recharge with the specified amount of refrigerant. Refer to Recycle Refrigerant.
Low-pressure side sometimes becomes negative.	Sometimes the area around evaporator outlet does not become cold. Sometimes the area around evaporator inlet is frosted.	Icing caused by moisture mixed with refrigerant. Deteriorated dryer material in liquid tank.	Recover refrigerant then replace condenser (includes liquid tank). Refer to Removal and Installation. Evacuate system and recharge with the specified amount of refrigerant. Refer to Charge Refrigerant.
Hunting in high-pressure side.	There is no temperature difference between high and low-pressure sides.	Malfunctioning variable valve in A/C compressor.	Replace A/C compressor. Refer to Removal and Installation. Check ECV system.

Noise Nissan Pathfinder R53

Symptom Table

Symptom	Noise source	Probable cause	Corrective action
Unusual noise from A/C compressor when A/C is ON.	Inside of A/C compressor	Worn, broken, or clogged internal components.	Check compressor oil. Refer to Inspection.
	Magnet clutch	Contact of clutch disc with pulley.	Check clearance between clutch disc and pulley.
	A/C compressor body	Loose A/C compressor bolts.	Check torque of bolts. Refer to Exploded View.
Unusual noise from cooler piping.	Cooler piping (pipe and flexible hose)	Improper installation of clip and bracket.	Check installation of cooler piping. Refer to Exploded View.
Unusual noise from expansion valve when A/C is ON.	Expansion valve	Low refrigerant charge.	Check for leaks. Refer to Leak Test. Recover refrigerant, evacuate system, and recharge with the specified amount of refrigerant.
Unusual noise from expansion valve when A/C is ON.	Expansion valve	Worn, broken, or clogged internal components.	Eliminate foreign material from expansion valve or replace it.
Unusual noise from belt.	—	Loose belt.	Check belt tension. Refer to Checking Drive Belt.
Unusual noise from belt.	—	Damaged or broken components inside A/C compressor.	Replace A/C compressor. Refer to Removal and Installation.