2000 Nissan Pathfinder Car looses power w/ AC on

MADSKR

MEMBER
2000 NISSAN PATHFINDER
6 CYL
4WD
MANUAL
17,400 MILES

While on vaca. Power quit while driving. Car was towed to nearest Nissan dealer. Their "computer" diagnosed that a new distributor was needed and a vent valve. 1/2 hour after leaving dealer and paying the $1200 bill the car quit in the exact same way this time I know the AC was on. Towed back to same dealer, this time "computer" diagnosed same problem. Distributor, so they put in a replacement saying the first one was faulty. Pick up the car, on the highway with AC on the car sputters, not a gas type sputter but a power cutting in and out type. Take immediately back to dealer and they are still scratching their heads! The Nissan Certified technician with 26 years of experience can't seem to figure it out. My question, could it be the serpentine belt that drives the AC and the Alternator? My understanding is that there are 3 belts on the 00 Pathfinder. Help! Thanks for any advice.

LATEST FROM DEALER- they are now looking into whether or not it needs a new Electrical control module. The trusty computer at work again?

1 Reply

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi madskr,

Thank you for the donation.

This is a tough call. A dealer technician with 26 years of experience who has the physical car is scratching his head diagnosing the fault means the chances of us being of much help is almost zero.

Anyway I am one who do not like to give up without a fight.

The AC and alternator belts are separate so there should be no connection except if the AC is ON, it requires more electrical power to function. The symptoms described are similar to insufficient power supply and it could be a fault in the charging system.

Was the charging system checked? One of the common fault for insufficient charging would be a faulty harmonic damper of the crankshaft pulley, if equipped.

I would suggest testing the charging system and it should be a thorough one whereby road test is carried out while monitoring the charging voltage. With a scanner plugged in, the test should be simple.