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2002 Nissan Pathfinder Car heating up when AC is switched o

Tiny
JGVACHA
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 NISSAN PATHFINDER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My Nissan Pathfinder maintains a car temperature right around the middle of the gauge when AC is off. Upon switching on AC the temperature climbs up to max in the gauge (also saw coolant dripping underneath upon stopping the vehicle). Two weeks ago, I had installed a new radiator/ new thermostat and a new fan with fan clutch.

Something as a relevant history - I had also gotten the FREON in my SUV refilled right before all these issues started coming up. Any connection between all of this? Please help.
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Sunday, June 21st, 2009 AT 11:46 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
Something in the cooling system isn't working as well as it should. So when the extra heat created by the condenser (the small radiator looking thing in front of your real radiator) is thrown into the mix, the car gets hot.

Just about the only thing it could be is your missing parts of the fan shroud, the the fan clutch isn't working.

Try this test.
WITH THE ENGINE OFF
with the engine cold spin the fan by hand, it wont freespin, but it should turn.

Now drive somewhere and get the engine good and hot.
WITH THE ENGINE OFF.
Spin the fan again, it should be very difficult to turn the fan when the engine is hot.
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Sunday, June 21st, 2009 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
JGVACHA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for your response. It appears to me from your answer that the fan works only when the AC is turned on. Is this true? Or the fan can work even when the AC is not turned on? Identifying the problem as the fan might make sense only if the fan turns on when the AC is working. Please confirm.
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Friday, June 26th, 2009 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
Unless I'm confused about the years, (I'm not perfect)

Your truck should have a viscous fan clutch. And the fan is mounted on the front of the engine.

The fan should spin while the engine is running regardless if the AC is on or not.
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Friday, June 26th, 2009 AT 6:45 PM
Tiny
JGVACHA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
If the fan runs regardless of whether the AC is running or not. Then I don't think reason is the fan not running. Because the car does not heat up when AC is not running. Do you agree?
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Friday, June 26th, 2009 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
No, I do not agree.

Please do the tests I asked for in my first answer to you.
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Friday, June 26th, 2009 AT 11:06 PM
Tiny
JGVACHA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hello support - I peformed the tasks that you asked me to do.

1. Rotate the fan when the engine is cool (was rotating freely).
2. Drove the car around for half an hour and then tried rotating the fan. Was rotating freely.

So I dont think its got anything to do with the fan. What else could be going on. Please help
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Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 12:05 PM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
You just proved that the fan clutch is bad.
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Friday, July 31st, 2009 AT 2:21 PM

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