Well the plot is thickening regarding the compressor operation.

Nissan Consumer Affairs finally got back to me and informed me that on the 2003 models, the compressor runs anytime the fan is on and this is by design.

The funny part is that thanks to the nissan's service manual website snafu, I have found a page in the manual regarding checking the magnet clutch engagement (which I interpret as the clutch to the compressor) when the A/C button is on or off.

After I gave the service manual page number to the Consumer Affairs rep his tone changed a little bit and said he'd have to get back in touch with engineers. At least he admitted that it was confusing. For anyone interested its on page MTC-44.

Everything in print seems to indicate the A/C button works as expected. Everyone I've talked to says that the compressor runs all the time. This is quite odd.

Kurt