# 2000 Nissan Xterra - temp gauge while using AC **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** nissan, xterra\ **Created:** [July 23, 2022, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-nissan-xterra-temp-gauge-while-using-ac/185434 "2022-07-23T23:29:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Qman527](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Qman527](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Qman527)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2022, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-nissan-xterra-temp-gauge-while-using-ac/185434/1 "2022-07-23T23:29:54Z")
The temperature gauge skyrockets with ac on while driving on highway but not during local travel ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2022, 9:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-nissan-xterra-temp-gauge-while-using-ac/185434/2 "2022-07-24T21:43:50Z")
Usual suspects. Check coolant level. Check hose condition for collapsing at high speed. Clean bugs off of radiator or replace. Check for worn water pump etc, ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 12:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-nissan-xterra-temp-gauge-while-using-ac/185434/3 "2022-07-25T00:26:55Z")
> [@Qman527](#): > > [overheating when] ac on while driving on highway That driving condition is when the engine is delivering a lot of power, heating up internal components to the max, so if there’s a clogged radiator problem, timing problem, water pump problem, or the cooling system isn’t holding pressure, that’s the conditions it would first show up. Unlikely to be engine compartment fan problem. If the coolant level is correct, no visible coolant leaks, first step is to ask your shop do a cooling system pressure test. You are welcome to post the results here, likely get some more ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Qman527](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Qman527](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Qman527)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 1:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-nissan-xterra-temp-gauge-while-using-ac/185434/4 "2022-07-25T01:00:28Z")
Thank you water pump is new also did timing belt coolant level is full in radiator going to flush radiator and see how that looks Thank you Quint Vargas Just repairs ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 1:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-nissan-xterra-temp-gauge-while-using-ac/185434/5 "2022-07-25T01:18:11Z")
Pressure wash the bugs off of the front of the radiator. With that age it can become so clogged that air can’t flow through. Generally it appears at a higher speed you are exceeding the cooling capacity. That lower radiator hose can collapse too, thus restricting the flow. ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 8:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-nissan-xterra-temp-gauge-while-using-ac/185434/6 "2022-07-25T20:16:30Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Pressure wash the bugs off of the front of the radiator. I don’t recommend this because you can easily bend the fins and make the problem worse. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 8:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-nissan-xterra-temp-gauge-while-using-ac/185434/7 "2022-07-25T20:29:34Z")
The bugs/debris have to be removed from the **CONDENSER** which is in front of the radiator. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/8/2/82d1e5e55951620db2f81bc837e425c35ef437b8.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![Qman527](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Qman527](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Qman527)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 8:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-nissan-xterra-temp-gauge-while-using-ac/185434/8 "2022-07-25T20:40:22Z")
I used a garden hose to clean radiator going to do a complete flush Thank you Quint Vargas Just repairs ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 8:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-nissan-xterra-temp-gauge-while-using-ac/185434/9 "2022-07-25T20:49:15Z")
Referring to @Tester post… the condenser can be cleaned with some spray stuff used for home air conditioners. Spray foaming cleanser and a gentle spray of water to remove it. Works wonders and won’t corrode the condenser. > **[WEB Aerosol Foam Coil Cleaner Lowes.com](https://www.lowes.com/pd/WEB-Common-20-006-in-x-45-5-in-x-22-126-in-Actual-20-006-in-x-45-5-in-x-22-126-in-Box-Air-Filter/1000024695?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-plb-_-bng-_-PLA_PLB_171_Air-Circulation-_-1000024695-_-Online-_-0-_-0&ds_rl=1286981&msclkid=2e7d6f6f004c1c0787e20db001f85a7b&gclsrc=ds)** > > Shop WEB Aerosol Foam Coil Cleanerundefined at Lowe's.com. Web 19 oz coil cleaner. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2022, 9:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-nissan-xterra-temp-gauge-while-using-ac/185434/10 "2022-07-25T21:55:29Z")
> [@Qman527](#): > > I used a garden hose to clean radiator going to do a complete flush “Cleaning” a radiator can refer to cleaning the outside or the inside, or both. A “flush” usually means to clean the inside.