so I pulled off the highway after running the a/c for about 25 miles on a warn day here in Houston today. Sitting at a light I see smoke coming from the front end. Then I noticed the a/c wasn't blowing very cold then no cold air at all. The smoke appeared to be coming from the a/c compressor under the air intake box. Any ideas here ? is the compressor or a/c clutch screwed or both ???

my G35x is an 04 with 81k miles. Thanks guys.

 

now after I turned the car off the compressor doesn't click on at all.

 

1. Is the belt ok?
2. Is there any sign of fluid/dye leaking anywhere in the engine bay?
3. What colour was the smoke, and how much was there?
4. Was the A/C operating normally up to this point? ie, not cold, Too cold, etc
5. Have you changed your in-cabin air filters lately?
6. Have you charged the AC system lately/ever?

 

belt seems fine
no signs of any fluids
smoke was white / smelled weird not like something I've smelled before. It was just a little puff here and there not a lot just barely visible. I could see it better with the hood open.
a/c seemed to blow cold just fine then nothing
I've never changed my in cabin air filter
I've never charged the a/c system

 

your ac went out guy you need a new compressor

 

Does sound like a pooched compressor/clutch.

Have the rest of the AC system checked over before charging it up again (once compressor is replaced).

Sorry for the bad news dude.

 

what's the cheapest fix ?

I saw some used compressors on ebay for $160.

can i get it evacuated put a new one one and get it charged up ?

should last longer than 80K miles that's pretty lame....

Auto parts stores have them for like $340 but none are available.

 

It depends on what's broken. Ideally more inspection is necessary before condemning it 100%
Simply done, run the engine with the A/C off, then turn it on, check if the clutch engages, if it doesn't, check for power to the clutch solonoid. If you don't have power, check your fuses.

There's a fairly in depth procedure for checking an A/C system, start reading if you want to do it the cheapest way, it's going to take you some time (your own time, not a mechanics):

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/G35/Sedan/2003/atc.pdf


I agree, that's a very short life span. I've never heard of an AC compressor giving up like that let alone smoking. I'd suggest further inspection FOR SURE. Perhaps you can post a video or provide more in depth information. In the meantime, read up.

 

after turning the car off and back on with the a/c off when I turn the a/c switch on the compressor never click on and the air blows hot.

 

I have one i pulled off my motor beause i was going to do a 2jz swap ill sell it to you for 160 to your door let me know

 

2jz nice

does it work ? can you do any better than $160 lol they actually sell used as low as $90 on ebay. How many miles were on your motor before you took the compressor off ?

I'll have a shop look at mine Monday to see what's up and go from there.

 

apparently a rock ding took out my a/c condenser

 

That sounds much more likely, glad you got someone to look at it and save you some money!

That expains why the clutch didn't kick in, the system lost it's charge.

 

Better the condensor vs the compressor!