I am having a problem with the a/c in my 2000 Altima. When I first turn on the a/c, at any level, it will blow very cold air with the proper air flow. After a period of time, anywhere from 15-45 minutes, the air flow substantially decreases but the air temperature remains the same. The blower motor (or whatever is behind the glove compartment) makes a noise that is difficult to describe. It is a faint, scratchy kind of noise that only happens when the air flow is reduced. I have determined that at those times, the low pressure line coming from the car to the compressor is frozen. Not frosted, but frozen.
If I switch off the a/c in the car (which I assume turns off the compressor), after about five minutes, I can turn the a/c back on and it everything will work properly again after the line thaws. But, it will freeze up again.
In the hopes that I just needed refrigerant, I bought a can that included a gauge. When I tested the low pressure line, it was normal. At least the little line on the gauge fell right smack in the middle of the "normal" range according to the can.
I saw that about four years ago, another guy had an identical problem with his 2000 Quest, however, an answer was never put in the thread.
Thoughts anyone?