How to Troubleshoot the Air Conditioning in a Nissan Altima

by Editorial Team

Sometimes air conditioning problems in an automobile can be an easy fix, even for those of us who know nothing about cars. Before making a costly and time-consuming trip to the dealer or a mechanic, give troubleshooting the problem a shot. Take a few easy steps to try and determine the problem in your Nissan Altima.

Step 1

Start the engine and let it to run for a few minutes to allow the air to cool. Double check the controls to make sure the correct buttons are selected. This may seem simplistic, but human error could be to blame.

Step 2

Adjust the climate controls. If they are working correctly with the right amount of resistance and stopping at the right places but have no effect on the air then it is probably a simple fuse problem. If they are not working correctly then it is probably a control panel issue.

Step 3

Find the fuse box on the interior of the car. The fuse box is located under a small rectangular trim panel on the dashboard on the passenger side. Use a screwdriver or chisel that's end is covered with tape to avoid scratching the trim to pry off the panel. There is a fuse diagram on the inside of the cover.

Step 4

Get to the control panel in a Nissan Altima by removing the instrument panel, the kick plate and dash side finisher on the driver's side, two lower panel-to-instrument panel screws and the lower panel on the driver's side, two lower reinforcement panel-to-instrument panel screws and the lower reinforcement panel, six steering column cover screws, the covers, the spiral cable and combination switch, two cluster lid "A" screws and the cluster lid "A," and three combination meter screws. Disconnect the electrical harness connector and remove the combination meter.

Things You'll Need

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