As the refrigerant (now more environmentally friendly R134 Freon) moves through the system, it picks up the heat of the cabin and transfers it to a large alternative radiator-like device called the condenser. This is because it is a very complicated device that involves proper shimming, to set it correctly. Nothing beats the comfort brought by your car’s air conditioner especially when it is hot outside. It also involves the proper handling of the refrigerant according to EPA standards. Mechanic's Assistant: Has the clutch been slipping? Still another air conditioner clutch condition that you might feel, more than hear, is a slight vibration when the air conditioner clutch disengages when you are idling at a light or if your vehicle has reached the temperature you want. If this is the case, then you can try to do the repair yourself — although, given today’s EPA rules for refrigerant recovery, it’s probably best to let a. PM if you are interested. AC Clutch Noise. It seems to be worse when the engine is cold and as it warms up it tend become more intermitant. Have your assistant turn on the AC controls to maximum. Hey paul would you happen to have the part number for that bearing? Another noise you might hear from the air conditioner clutch is a heavy thunk when you engage the air. That I know one of the first thing a shop would check is the charge and pressure, which noises also can … It should be checked out by a professional. The compressor clutch controls the power provided to the compressor shaft. Operationally, here is what happens when you engage your car’s air conditioning system: That, in simple detail describes how the system works. According to Denso:” 99.9% of all compressor problems are not related to product failure, but from a poor understanding of A/C system operation, maintenance and repair.” Noisy Compressor clutch,bearing failure. This is only recommended if you have a great deal of knowledge about it. An air conditioner pulley making noise can also come from failing bearings. If any of those interior components break or the compressor’s internal bearings fail, then all sorts of noises can be produced. I was able to locate it to the … This bearing is a sealed roller bearing. I actually bought a brand new bearing that I didn't end up using. This could indicate either an alignment problem, or a clutch spring problem. Noises that could indicate the need for a/c compressor service or replacement include: Growling noise with compressor disengaged Whistling noise Grinding noise Squealing noise … Replacing the noisy bearing without finding the … It has noise only when the ac clutch is engaged but no noise when ac compressor is not engaged or the engine is revved. Cooler air is drawn in through the condenser the fan starts to circulate it throughout the vehicle. suggestions. In any auto air conditioning system, there are several key parts. Either way, trying to troubleshoot a noisy clutch can be complex and time consuming. View our Privacy Policy here. It should be checked out by a professional. When i shut off the AC the clicking stops. The AC compressor of all cars is driven by the engine belt, and it has a lot of spinning internal components that use bearings to be able to function. That is because the compressor and clutch are not functioning (turning) at all when the A/C system is OFF. Noisy AC compressor? I'd pull the a/c belt of and spin the tensioner and a/c pulleys by hand. Another potential symptom of a failing AC compressor is loud or unusual noises. It is advised that you don’t try to repair the air conditioner clutch yourself. This means that it is a very crucial part of the air conditioning system and any problem to it would fail the ac system. Idler Pulley: It’s possible that the noise is actually from the idler pulley if its bearings are failing. Compressor Clutch: The compressor clutch is a high-wear item, and if it’s worn … Moisture Leaks. I'll be out of town starting tomorrow so my reply may take a day or two. 57 Posts . Are you having any trouble shifting? Probably what you hear is the AC compressor clutch engaging. When the AC is turned on, the grinding noise will come from the front end under the hood. Thanks. The loud noise when the AC switches on is another potential symptoms of bad AC compressor. The refrigerant helps the AC … When I have the AC on in the car it makes a whining noise which gets worse as the car revs up. the new AC compressor clutch bearing is toast!". 2. A/C operation, normal noises. Your car air conditioner is supposed to run quietly, but when it starts to produce noises, Your car’s AC compressor could be failing. I thought "great! Mine is making almost a ringing noise. However, a worn clutch can produce a loud click. Car AC Refrigerant. The furnace blower... 2008 Chevy Colorado air conditioning problem. There are times, though, where you might hear a squealing noise when you engage the air conditioning system. Thread starter #1 I just bought my 2015 GT with 18,000 miles about two weeks ago. Automotive a/c compressor clutch bearing failures are usually caused by system problems and not the bearing itself. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If the squealing continues, it could indicate the air conditioner clutch is out of alignment or, worse, going bad. Discussion Starter • #1 • Mar 18, 2013. My bimmer dude wanted me to wait until the Fall to replace the compressor because of the $500.00 part, but it was August in the Mid-Atlantic states, therefore I couldn't wait. All information is provided "AS IS." Clanking or rattling: Loose internal mounts can cause rattling and clanking from the compressor. We welcome your comments and Noted below are a few of the common reasons why you might hear noises coming from the bell housing or the clutch department, along with a few of the best methods for troubleshooting these issues so that a professional mechanic can make repairs. There has been a grinding noise coming from the AC compressor in my 2010 XC60 since I owned this car. It rolls a tad rough but seems to have a bunch of play. home improvement and repair website. Again, this is something that should be checked out by a professional. Troubleshooting A/C condensor not running? This could indicate either an alignment problem, or a clutch spring problem. Over the past week, I have listened to it go from an occassional mild rattle to a significant but still random noise. I don't know the answer to your question, but I am experiencing similar problems. If it does, then you are facing replacement of a worn serpentine belt, which is about a $300-$800 repair. Testing an Air Compressor Pressure Switch, How to Replace Alternator Belt in 5 Steps. the cluch is not cycleing on and off, its engagged the whole time the ac is on, i have read its normal for the clutch to be engagged and not click on and off in hot temps … If the noise is occurring, and is completely unchanged, regardless of whether or not the compressor is engaged (i.e., A/C turned ON), then the noise has nothing to do with the compressor or clutch. The most valuable solution is changing the whole AC compressor. A buzzing noise from the compressor when the air-conditioning clutch … I know its coming from the clutch(I just replaced the serpentine tensioner). How To Fix A Vibrating And Noisy Car A/C Compressor. If the Freon has leaked out, it won’t turn on, so nothing is moving inside. It sounds like the bearing is going bad. AC compressor whine. The noise would start when the compressor engages due to the increased load on the engine. Re: AC compressor … May 25 2015, 8:24pm. Clutches might be an easier job but if its the compressor then it involves working on all the system, replacing fluids lost during the job, fiddling with vacuum pumps etc. JavaScript is disabled. An easy way to check the clutch of your AC compressor is to gently and lightly tap on the clutch when the compressor is running and the motor is on. Its worse if you find out that the compressor is actually bad and sent stuff through the system. It’s a Mercedes W124, the compressor is a Denso 10PA15C I think. I have some mice living around/under my air conditioner and they have occas... A mechanic installed a new aftermarket compressor clutch on my 1988 T Bird ... 3 amp fuse blows as soon as main power is turned on but blower keeps runnin... Hello: Just prior to the AC turning on, there is a loud buzzing sound that ... Hello All, We have our thermostat set to 72 but noticed the current temp is... A series of solenoids activate the electronics of the system so that the compressor spins up and starts moving the refrigerant through the system. It only was noisey when I turned on my A/C because of the fan clutch. You may freely link The next video shows you how to check the … These include the air conditioner clutch assembly, heat exchanger, compressor, drive belts, and pumps. These typically start when your AC compressor engages. Loud Noise. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be I think it is the bearing going bad and I even sprayed a little WD-40 in the bearing and the noise died down a lot! Copyright© A/C Compressor and Clutch Noises. So, if the noise is there all the time the cause has to be … When the car idles, the AC Compressor sounds like grinding metal and when you turn the AC on, then all hell breaks loose and the noise is unbearable. Most people who wonder what does a bad ac compressor sound like don’t know about the moisture leaks in the AC compressor. Usually, the only solution if to replace the compressor. Listen for excessive bearing noise coming from the clutch or compressor. Thread starter Andr3w; Start Date Feb 17, 2017; Andr3w Well-Known Member. In this scenario people might try adding refrigerant on their own. My air conditioner model number CA5530VKA1 does not run. It gest faster as the rpms get higher, but the AC is still blowing cold. However, if what you hear is rapid clicking noises every time the blower motor begins to spin, then you may have foreign matter interfering with the motor operation. The sound probably means that … This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. You wouldn’t think it’s the AC as some have thought it’s the diff making that noise but as soon as you turn the AC off and the AC clutch disengages the noise stops. The A/C compressor pulley wobbled and made noise when I spun it. Listen for any internal buzzing or clicking from the clutch. The AC clutch is making noise and when you engage the AC it blows fuse #16 in the dash compartment every time. Then when the unit kicks on they could hear a noise. If you hear squeals, sudden thuds, or even rattles that don’t quite sound right, then it’s a good idea to get your car to an air conditioning specialist. It is working fine tho. In fact, the noise is reduced when the compressor is on. All you should feel is cold air coming out of the heating/cooling ducts on the dash panel. My 99 Pathfinder has an intermitant noise that appears to be coming from the AC clutch. Can you tell if it's squealing when the compressor's on or off? 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Website operating The AC works fine and the compressor doesn't seem to be problem. A car or truck can be safely driven with a faulty compressor if the clutch and bearing ( near the belt) is ok. The compressor is the heart of the system. This could either be the air conditioning clutch or the serpentine belt slipping. I have not tested anything yet since I am recovering from some recent medical issues but I am thinking of … Much like other accessories driven by the engine’s belts, the AC compressor has several interior components and uses a sealed bearing to turn. If your car’s air conditioning system is working properly you should hear nothing at all. The compressor works only when it is engaged to the engine and that engagement is through the air conditioner clutch. You must log in or register to reply here. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto 3. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. Belt: If the serpentine belt is worn, it can slip when the compressor engages, causing noises. If you have no leaks and only a horrible noise when running the A/C it … This must be done very carefully so that you do not get your tool stuck in the snake belt and ruin your engine, which could result in serious damage. When we talk about AC compressor noises we’re discussing sounds it can make when the unit is engaged. Normal noises include the sounds of A/C compressor clutch engagement, the blower motor, moving blend air and mode doors, and pressure equalization after vehicle is shut down. This guide will help you diagnose the problem when you start hearing strange noises. It is definitely the AC clutch bearing. … To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. A worn bearing will produce a … Well, you can only enjoy that if the AC is working. What if you turned on your AC and hot air greeted you instead? Theres a rattling noise on my mazda 3 ac compressor. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". I completely rebuild my AC system last summer (new condenser, compressor, receiver/drier, expansion valve) and it ran fine. The compressor clutch is … 7 A/C Compressor Noises that Need Professional Attention. A rattling could indicate it’s time to replace your worn out compressor clutch (and maybe even the entire AC compressor). All rights reserved. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent If the clutch fails to engage and spin, but you hear electrical buzzing or clicks inside, it indicates an internal clutch short. You can check the belt yourself by looking for shiny or worn spots on it, or by wetting it down to see if the squealing stops. I knew if I continued to drive the truck with the bad bearing it would eventually sieze and cause the serpintine belt to break leaving me stranded and probably ruining the air conditioner compressor… Understanding why clutch components make noise … My ac compressor is making a clicking sound, NOT on and off, but steady and constant. Sometimes, when the clutch is worn, the disc is too thin and may not engage properly. And now, the compressor does not engage. So you can take this as a warning sign. The compressor clutch pressurizes your AC and pumps refrigerant through the system. Thats the reason why I asked if I need to replace the AC compressor or if it's the tensioner down there or if there's a beating on the AC pulley that's off the compressor tha could be bad Re: AC compressor Squeal. I was fortunate that I'd found the problem before it led to a major disaster. Well I was heading out on a trip and about 80 miles from the house started getting a horrendous scraping sound coming from the engine bay. Banging or clanking: These types of noises are often caused by a loose part or system component, such as a connecting rod or piston pin. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Another noise you might hear from the air conditioner clutch is a heavy thunk when you engage the air. Joined Jan 17, 2017 Posts 55 Reaction score 2 Location Carrollton, GA First Name Andrew Vehicle(s) 2015 Magnetic Mustang GT Premium PP Feb 17, 2017. Normally, you should hear or feel nothing when the air conditioner is working except the cold air coming from your car’s heating/cooling ducts. Idler pulley. Therefore, if you hear any rattling sounds or car air conditioner making loud humming noise during the operation of the system, get it fixed immediately. No i mean ac compressor clutch is engaged there is a noise from the compressor There is reason to worry when that happens. Bought a brand new bearing that I 'd found the problem when engage... Ducts on the AC it blows fuse # 16 in the AC works fine and the shaft... Works fine and the compressor does n't seem to be worse when the AC the clicking stops conditioning problem or! Is drawn in through the system how to replace your worn out compressor is... And any problem to it would fail the AC on in the AC it blows fuse # in... 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