2002 Nissan Altima 2.5SL Temperature Control Gear and Other Questions

[Ponchoguy]

First post to this site---I'm a GM person, but I know of someone with this car, so I figured I'd ask.

Above mentioned Altima---has the issue where the temperature control cannot be regulated (heat/AC). It has the manual three dial system (non electronic). This car was built in April or May of 2002, I have seen the TSB that refers you to the gear/cable repair.

1) Does anyone here have this same problem with an Altima built after the 10/01 date posted in the bulletin?

2) Anyone have any good photos of how to access that area to check the gear operation? I thought I read that the trim around the HVAC controls comes out, maybe the fuse box cover and another piece of trim.

3) Did you have to replace the gear (part #27153-8J010 from what I have read), or did you have to replace other parts? I haven't taken a look at it yet, but will as soon as I can.

4) On cabin air filters, I have seen listings that this year and model have them, but it seems to have been optional. Would a 2.5SL have one? (I know I can just take the glovebox out and look, but I thought maybe someone would know if it was only a certain submodel that had it, for example, the 3.5SE)? This car is pretty loaded for an SL, leather interior, sunroof, Bose stereo, etc).

Any information would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Ponchoguy]

Anyone out there? :)

[NissanTech]

Hello Ponchoguy.

Unfortunately I don have much information for you, as I haven't had any Altima with that problem. I suggest downloading the "Manual Air Condition" section of the service manual. You can find good information there to access the parts and repair your problem.

You can download the section free from here: Knowledgebase - 2002 Altima - Nissanhelp.com Forums

[Ponchoguy]

I'm going to check that cable issue. I saw a photo of it on another forum. I believe you take the HVAC control trim off, the fuse box cover and one of the dash covers off and you can see the parts.

If anyone has run into this or knows how to access the parts, that would be great.

[mpe235]

Originally Posted by Ponchoguy

I'm going to check that cable issue. I saw a photo of it on another forum. I believe you take the HVAC control trim off, the fuse box cover and one of the dash covers off and you can see the parts.

If anyone has run into this or knows how to access the parts, that would be great.

You shouldn't need to take anything off. Look on the side of the heater case down by the gas pedal. Make sure the gear is still there. If it is you need to reposition it so you get the correct temperature. I usually just turn the knob to full heat on the control and then turn the gear by hand until i feel full heat from the vents.(you will have to remove one phillips head screw) Put it back together and make sure it works properly. After you have verified that it is working, take the gear back out and put glue on the part that goes into the temp. door.

[Ponchoguy]

Thanks for the tip. I thought you have to take a few pieces off to access it (or see where it is at least). I have the TSB from Nissan and I have the Mitchell On Demand as well (which references the Nissan info) and it shows the gear and the "fan shaped" other half attached to the cable.

I'll take a look and see if this is the problem. The complaint I got from her was that it seems that moving the temp knob doesn't do anything.

In theory, I should be able to flip that knob from hot to cold on vent with the engine warmed up and it should switch from hot to cold air as I move the temperature knob. The car has heat in the winter, just no temperature regulation.

I want to start simple and I figure this is a good place as any to start.

[Ponchoguy]

FYI also: I have the Nissan "FAST" parts (as well as Infiniti) at home if anyone needs a photo reference of anything. Just ask, no problem at all.

[mpe235]

You only have to remove one screw to get the fan shaped part off.

Originally Posted by Ponchoguy

Thanks for the tip. I thought you have to take a few pieces off to access it (or see where it is at least). I have the TSB from Nissan and I have the Mitchell On Demand as well (which references the Nissan info) and it shows the gear and the "fan shaped" other half attached to the cable.

I'll take a look and see if this is the problem. The complaint I got from her was that it seems that moving the temp knob doesn't do anything.

In theory, I should be able to flip that knob from hot to cold on vent with the engine warmed up and it should switch from hot to cold air as I move the temperature knob. The car has heat in the winter, just no temperature regulation.

I want to start simple and I figure this is a good place as any to start.

[Ponchoguy]

That I saw. Thanks. I'll have a look at it as soon as I can. Hopefully, it's the gear issue that will solve the AC and heat problem.

Have you seen this on 2002 cars made AFTER the 10/01 manufacturing date in the bulletin? This car was made in April or May of 2002 from what I remember.

Thanks.

[mpe235]

Originally Posted by Ponchoguy

That I saw. Thanks. I'll have a look at it as soon as I can. Hopefully, it's the gear issue that will solve the AC and heat problem.

Have you seen this on 2002 cars made AFTER the 10/01 manufacturing date in the bulletin? This car was made in April or May of 2002 from what I remember.

Thanks.

Yes it is pretty common. The gear usually pops out enough to slip and then you don't get the full travel on the door.

[Ponchoguy]

Ok, thanks. I'm going to tell her to warm up the car, turn the heat on through the vents by having the temperature dial on full warm. Then she's going to tell me if she's got hot air. Then, I will have her just move the temperature dial to cold and she should get a switch to cold air. If she doesn't, I know I probably have a temperature cable/gear issue.

Good way to approach it? Thanks.

[Ponchoguy]

I haven't forgotten about this---just haven't had a chance to look at it.

Where do you guys buy your Nissan parts from? This is like a $6.00 gear with $9.00 shipping :).

I've ordered from Nissanparts.cc for a map light bulb (I found a mistake in the aftermarket lighting catalogs like GE, Sylvania, etc---they say it's a #578 bulb, it's nothing like that...dealer only part) and they were reasonable, at $5.00 with shipping for the bulb.

Thanks for everyone's continued help....

[Ponchoguy]

Ok, I'm going to have a look at this on Friday. I'm thinking it's "harder" in how it appears on paper then when you actually look at the parts in question :).

Hopefully the gear is there and it fell out of place. I was told "hot air comes out of the vents no matter what". Seems like the door is not operating (because the gear is missing or fell out).

Thanks for any additional suggestions....

[Ponchoguy]

I was now told that the knob got tight at one time, and now it kinda "free wheels...almost like it's not doing anything".

Does that typically point to the white gear at the bottom, or a damaged control lever/control assembly up top (which I found a TSB for also)?

MPE:

Are these the parts I'm looking for and does this photo show anything removed, or do you just peek up there without removing anything? Seems this guy had the gear issue:

http://www.nissanclub.com/forums/2002-2006-nissan-altima-discussion-2-5-3-5/281108-heater-sucks-3.html

Thanks again for everyone's input. Hopefully I can make her happy with AC on Friday :).

[Ponchoguy]

I had a chance to check this out tonight....

The cable never moves down below with the temperature control dial. It appears that the cable is disconnected at the lever up top at the HVAC control head.

I saw the TSB about that, so I will take things apart to have a look. It looks like the "C" cluster piece around the HVAC is easy (already had it off). Does the large trim piece around the radio just pull out? It seems that the radio has to come out to remove the HVAC control. Do these radios have "theft lock" or anything like that? (GM cars ofter do).

I was able to manually rotate the gear fully in one direction and I had AC to beat the band :). I checked multiple times---moving the temperature control dial doesn't move the cable or gears down below.

Have you guys done any work on these L31 Altimas with regard to that bulletin? What did you typically find?

Thanks again for everyone's help. I also changed the air filter and cabin filter (both dirty) this evening, so that's done. (Car is up for state inspection in May....).

I have to get a pivot pin for the glovebox, one is missing.

Also, on this TSB, what's the difference between the "A/C control" and the "temperature control lever". I attached the bulletin. I don't think by A/C control they are referring to the whole dash unit, because they talk about a procedure for replacement there.

Both of them look like (from the picture), the same thing. What I found disconnected/not working is at the bottom of the HVAC control unit when it's installed in the car. I can actually feel that the cable end is disconnected

[Ponchoguy]

I should be doing this on Friday. How is the cable end held to the black plastic "fan" gear? It looks like the radio has to come out in order to access the HVAC controls.

Any tips on doing this? I have a used HVAC control I plan to swap in. It was removed from the car with the cable attached. I'm going to have to fish the cable down by the gas pedal and hook it on the black "fan" gear and then adjust everything.

Any tips on doing this are appreciated. The key fob programming went great :).

Thanks!

[Ponchoguy]

I had the unit out in ten minutes flat, that was the easy part....

Every time I would hook the cable onto the fan shaped gear, it would eventually work itself off and disconnect. What a PITA. LOL.

The tab on the "fan shaped" gear broke off, eventually from trying a few too many times. The dial just seemed tough to turn for some reason. However, nothing appears to be binding or anything.

I plan to drill out the plastic on the "fan gear" and replace it with a short metal stud, bolted from the inside. Then, I'll drill a hole in the stud and put a small cotter pin on the end. In that way, the cable won't fall off the end.

What do you all think? Seems more durable than the original design....

[Ponchoguy]

I modified the "fan gear" by drilling out the plastic and replacing it with a metal insert/stud. On the end, it now has a screw and a washer. With this setup, the cable stays put and does not "ride off" the shaft of the fan gear. It is a much more durable and better set up this way.

I put the fan gear back in, adjusted the temperature cable and dial and walah, there is heat on the hot setting and cool air on the cold setting of the temperature dial.

:). Not bad for $25 in used parts!

[Teg18ner]

I have the same problem. What is the procedure to get in to the back of the temperature control unit to work on it. ie how do you remove the plastic, etc. to get back there. Thanks.

[Ponchoguy]

You remove it and it comes out through the front of the dash. The service manual on the knowledge base of this forum has the manuals you can download.