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Old 06-01-2021, 12:46 PM   #1
CantPutt
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Default Strange AC Noise

I've read about the chirp and power drain that can happen with AC on these cars.

I'm experienceing something more severe.

I'm having pretty hard "chirps" (I belive when compressor clutch engages) followed by a "droneish" whining noise w/ pitch that changes w/ engine rpm.

The power suck is very noticble, almost a nudge forward when it the sound kicks in. If I clutch it stops. If turn off ac it stops. It feels as if there is a lot of resistance somewhere and the engine is really fighting the compressor (or something on the belt). It's not instantaneous, the resistance is there until noise kicks off.

I'm afraid the compressor is bad (it is only one year old).

The compressor pulley seems to spin okay with the belt off.

New idler pulley did not help. Tightening belt did not help.

Any ideas? TIA.
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Last edited by CantPutt; 06-01-2021 at 02:11 PM.
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Old 06-05-2021, 05:10 PM   #2
Bugeye115
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Sounds like you have too much refrigerant in the system. I had this same problem last year. Take it to a shop and have them put the appropriate amount in your system.
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Old 06-08-2021, 07:41 PM   #3
CantPutt
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That's pretty likely, I have a leak somewhere and had it recently recharged. He couldn't find the leak and thinks its in the evaporator core so he told me to just drive it and see how long it lasts before going to the effor of changing evaporator.

On another note the whining has gotten much worse and today I threw a CEL: P0420 Catalyst System Efficency Below Threshold

Would that be related to the a/c issue? I can tell my engine is really fighting the a/c.
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Old 06-08-2021, 08:13 PM   #4
D-Rodman
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Remove the ac belt, go without ac till you can have it properly fixed. Clear the code and drive the car, see if code returns. My guess is that it will. You are more than likely looking at two expensive repairs.
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Old 06-09-2021, 07:17 AM   #5
CantPutt
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As in Catalytic convertor and something on the ac?
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Old 06-09-2021, 08:14 AM   #6
Elbert Bass
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First - No, the P0420 and A/C issue are not related. P0420 is catalyst efficiency meaning either your cat is bad or your A/F and/or O2 sensors are bad. You can start throwing parts at it or have it properly diagnosed.

With the A/C turned off the compressor clutch is not engaged. That will allow the pulley part where the belt grooves are to spin freely - that is normal. The front part of the pulley is connected to the compressor shaft and only engages with the pulley when the clutch coil is energized (A/C on).

As mentioned either you have too much refrigerant, there is a blockage in the system, or your compressor is failing. Have someone experienced with automotive A/C systems evaluate the system pressures and performance to properly diagnose the issue.
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Old 06-09-2021, 10:01 AM   #7
CantPutt
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Thanks all for the replies.

I dropped it off at the shop to have them diagnose the AC issue and the cat issue.

I bet there's a good chance my cat is bad becuase I was spraying a lot of oil through my turbo for a couple days before I realized it was leaking oil.

One thing after another....compressor / turbo / boost leak / cv axles / wheel bearings all within a year! (and clutch is about to go as well lol....) oh well
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Old 06-11-2021, 08:26 AM   #8
D-Rodman
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Old cars require parts from time to time, it’s all part of the game. If you have an old car as a toy then you just fix it and don’t really worry you are perhaps spending too much money on an old car. As long as the car isn’t falling apart because of rust it is ok to keep feeding the monster. Let us know how it goes, good luck.
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Old 06-12-2021, 08:00 AM   #9
CantPutt
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Compressor is bad (out of warranty) and cat is bad.

I guess a lot of cats are being stolen a lot and are hard to find so I might have a 2 week lead time on that.
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Old 06-12-2021, 02:36 PM   #10
CantPutt
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1300$ later I got the condensor/evaporator/expansion valve replaced.

Nice to have that all that whining noise and additional resistance gone.

I'll deal with the cat when they're available.
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