Buy Now | Log In | ALLDATA Corporate Site | AutoZone.com
Back To Home Page
Log In To Your Subscription
Go To ALLDATA Back Home
Buy A Subscription! Back Home About ALLDATA Information View Sample Vehicles Read Testimonials Frequently Asked Questions Contact Us
Dowload Our Navigation Chart

Sign Up To Receive ALLDATAdiy.com Alerts

Click Here to receive regular product updates, special offers, and automotive news.

2012 Subaru Now Available May 2013: More 2012 Vehicles Added including Fiat!
• View New Vehicles
2012 Subaru Now Available December 2012: More 2012 Vehicles Added including Chevy & GMC!
• View New Vehicles
View All News and Updates:
• Go To News
Tech Tips
  Read All Tech Tips

ALLDATA Tech Articles Are Updated Weekly
• View All Tech Articles

  Dodge Durango: Brake Pulsation Problems In Paul's Durango
• Read Dodge Article
 
Fixing A Smelly Audi Audi Tech Tip: A4 begins to Smell caused by a Faulty Hose Composition
• Read Audi Article
Why Do You Need To Change Your Timing Belt? Why Replace Your Timing Belt
• Read Belt Article
Jim Grant Tech Tips Jim Grant Tech Tips
A collection of helpful articles based on reader submissions
Home >> Featured Tech Articles >> Go Back
   
  Jim Grant's Tech TipsJim Grant's Tech Tips
Below is a collection of Jim Grant's Tech Tips sorted by Vehicle Make. These Tech Tips were answers to questions submitted to Jim by ALLDATAdiy.com users over the course of many years.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email us.
 
 

Miscellaneous
Acura
Audi
Buick
Cadillac
Chevy
Chrysler

Dodge/Plymouth
Ford
GMC
Geo
Hyundai
Honda
Isuzu

Jeep
Lexus
Lincoln - Mercury
Mazda
Mercedes
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Pontiac
Saturn
Subaru
Toyota
Volkswagen
 
   
  Jim Grant's Tech Tips

'94 Nissan Sentra, 10 minute A/C

Q: I just had the condenser replaced in my '94 Nissan Sentra. The car cools fine for about 10 minutes, then commences to blow warm air. After turning off the A/C switch for about 30 seconds and then back on, the car cools fine for another 10 minutes or so. The local tech says it is a bad thermal expansion valve. I am not sure to believe him, and don't want to waste any money. Is the thermal expansion valve a possible cause? Or should I be looking somewhere else for the problem?

- Tony S.

A: Yes the expansion valve could be the cause. But, there could be an internal moisture problem as well. The expansion valve controls the flow of refrigerant through the evaporator. The evaporator is the part of the A/C system that provides/makes the cold air. If the expansion valve sticks in the closed position it will not let enough refrigerant through which equals no cooling. This valve can also stick in the open position which floods the evaporator and little to no cooling occurs. Then there's that moisture thing. Moisture inside the A/C system will cause ice to form. Guess where that ice forms? At the expansion valve. The only way to remove the moisture is to apply a vacuum to the system for hours in temps preferably above 70 degrees and to replace the receiver drier. The receiver drier has an absorbent in it to remove moisture. Yes your tech could be right and he could be wrong. That's the fun part of cars.

 
     
Have any Questions About ALLDATAdiy.com? Please Email Us
Buy Now | Log In | About | Sample Vehicles | Testimonials | Join Affiliate Program