A/c Compressor "whirr" Whine...regardless Of Fan Setting, Changes W/engine Speed

ggoat!!! · 07-29-2006, 05:03 AM

Hello infidels!!! Whoops, I mean, "Hello fanatics!!!"

I'm continuing with separate posts about potential problems with my new 6spd.

This one involves the A/C. I've read up for hours on this forum regarding related posts to all my issues. I can't really find any mention of this particular problem.

My A/C makes a low pitched "whirr" noise, similar (as someone else here posted) to the sound of a playing card in bicycle spokes. The noise is NOT FAN SPEED DEPENDENT; the setting of the fan does NOT change the sound. The sound is not the A/C blower fan nor is it the engine fan or Mike's fan. The noise is ONLY made when the A/C compressor switches on. Once the compressor cycles off (which seems to be more often than it is on) and the blower motor continues to run, the noise completely goes away. The noise is GONE when the compressor cycles off. The noise also increases with engine speed. The noise is not due to air volume passing through the vents as it does NOT make the noise with the A/C off and the blower on. The noise is there regardless of the setting of the recirculate button as well. The strangest thing, however, is that I can't really hear the noise outside under the hood. But, when I'm inside the car driving slow around town quietly at night, the noise is as loud as the engine and shifter shaft noise. It is amazingly annoying.

So, fellow fanatics....any ideas on this one? I haven't heard of anyone having this specific A/C problem before. BTW...it cools just fine.

Thanks once again...

Jeff

davisfire · 07-29-2006, 06:07 AM

I have the exact same problem. I haven't tried listening under the hood though. I was thinking it was the compressor, but if there is no noise under the hood that doesn't make sence. I am taking mine in next week and that is one of the things on my list. It is very annoying like you said.

Dick · 07-29-2006, 10:07 AM

I'm glad you brought this up. I had it in my 2003 SSR and even posted a question about it here on 6/08/2006. I never got any indication from anyone that they had this problem too.

When I traded for a new 06 I thought it was odd that the new SSR had the same noise. I even heard it in several of the other new SSR's that we test drove. Sooo, in denial, I thought, oh well I guess it's just a normal thing and I should ignore it. It must just be my ears.

We had this noise develop in our 1994 GMC Surburban after about 70,000 miles and was told the compressor was about to fail (lock up)!!!! We changed it ($950) and the noise went away. Later we had the same thing happen at about 150,000 miles. We were told that the compressors used in these vehicles are notorious for this and usually fail at around 80,000 or so miles.

I would think that it would effect gas milage and power if mechanical distress is present in the compressor, but that would be easy to check, just turn off the A/C for an extended time. That's not a pleasant thought this time of year, here in the land of wet heat.

I really don't want the dealer to mess with this unless this is a disaster waiting to happen. Anyone have the compressor lock up??

Dick

ggoat!!! · 07-29-2006, 02:15 PM

Wow, I'm surprised others have this exact problem...

So far no fixes...hopefully someone with experience on this issue (as far as the fix) will chime in.

Thanks again everyone!
Jeff

ggoat!!! · 07-30-2006, 05:02 PM

SSR6SPD · 07-30-2006, 06:48 PM

ggoat STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER .........

ggoat!!! · 07-30-2006, 06:52 PM

OK, we get your point...you've posted similar comments three times now to my questions on the forum.

You're not helpful, not only to me, but to others who would like to find a fix for their trucks as well. I know that seems to be against your mentality of accepting every defect of the trucks the way they were shipped from the factory, but I'm sure there are others like me who would like to try to fix little things on their trucks like I am after spending nearly 50k.

Thanks for your contribution to my posts; I'm sure they're helping everyone with their trucks.

Boosted · 07-30-2006, 07:03 PM

Fan Clutch...

ggoat!!! · 07-30-2006, 07:06 PM

Hi Boosted...thanks for responding.

Do you mean the compressor clutch? My blower motor fan, engine fan, and Mike's fan don't contribute to the noise.

Is there anyway you could elaborate? Did you have this problem?

Thanks again Boosted...

Sincerely,
Jeff

Boosted · 07-30-2006, 09:39 PM

I am sorry.. Yes the a/c clutch..i had this before on my other truck and a replacement cured it...

A slight whine only when the a/c engages..But it drove me nuts ,,,,