Qashqai AC and Sensor Issues

Sounds familiar. I had a similar issue with my Qashqai, though I can't recall the exact year model right now. Same symptoms: AC refusing to kick in, coupled with some sensor warnings. Did you check the sensor wiring harness for any signs of corrosion or damage? Also, what codes are being thrown in the error memory? That could help narrow down the potential cause. It's a long shot, but could even be related to low refrigerant.

Thanks for the quick reply! I did give the wiring harness a cursory glance, didn't spot anything obvious, but I'll take a closer look. As for the codes, I'm getting a P0597 and P0599, both related to the thermostat heater control circuit. However, I'm suspicious of the temperature sensor reading itself – it seems implausibly low even after the engine's been running. Could the thermostat codes be a red herring?

Those thermostat codes could indeed be masking the real issue. If the temperature sensor is feeding the ECU (Engine Control Unit) incorrect data, it could be throwing off the whole system, including the AC. Considering the symptoms and the sensor reading, I'd lean towards the defective temperature sensor and potential AC control unit issue you initially suspected. Honestly, with those symptoms, I ended up biting the bullet and taking it to a workshop. Diagnostics can be tricky, and chasing sensor gremlins can be a real time sink.

Appreciate the insight. Seems like I'm facing a similar situation. Workshop it is, then. They've quoted me around 980€ for the repair, citing the defective temperature sensor in the heat exchanger and a possible fault within the air conditioning control unit, which lines up with the likely cause identified. Thanks again for confirming my suspicions.