A/C Compressor squeaks

[96XLTRanger]

Hey guys. Theres been a squeaking noise in my engine bay since i got my truck. I used a 1/4in dia hose as a stethoscope and low and behold, the noise is from my AC compressor. Does this mean its going to fail soon? how many miles are you supposed to get out of them? can i take it apart and clean/lube it so that it stops?

 

[600snow]

it could mean that.. mine squeaked for a couple days and then it totally locked up while i was driving, that was not a fun experience. anyways theres a little plug on it that if you disconect it should stop the noise. you wont have air conditioning but i just did that for the time being until i buy a new compressor. the bearing inside will make a faint noise, but believe me its better than it locking up and busting your belt. if you have money for a new one then go for it. im only 17 years old so i cant afford it yet.

 

[Pensa]

If the setup on your Ranger is like my 95 Explorer then any time you have the heater, defrosters or AC on the clutch engages the compressor. You can check to see if the compressor is going bad by disconnecting the electrical connection at the compressor. That is the connector that engages the clutch.

If the squeak goes away then your compressor is about to bite the big one, if it still squeaks it is most likely a bearing.

Either way it's not good news. If the compressor locks up it will burn the belt up unless you pull that electrical connector loose.

I haven't seen any threads on rebuilding the compressor and don't know if it's possible.

 

[dredlux26]

i have the same problem with my 1996 ford explorer.
when i turned on the heater on any selection to the right (windshield defogger, foot and windshield defogger, etc..), the compressor squeaks and my battery gauge lowers. after 2 seconds, its gone. then back again. and again and again...
but when i turn on the heater to the left selection (a/c, max a/c, front blower), it doesnt happen. everything works fine including the heat...

why is this so? is there something wrong with my ac compressor? or just the ac clutch?

thanks much guys.....

 

[ranger7ltr]

The a/c system might be low on oil...

People tend to forget that the a/c compressor does run under some settings other than max cool...And the compressor has its lubricant inside the system but the only way the oil gets to the components of the compressor is to run the a/c compressor...

The oil flows with the refrigerant and running the compressor 10 minutes a month should get the oil circulated throughout the system...Here in Texas I run the a/c system pretty much year round...I will run the heater when the temps drop under 30-40F but that is not that much...My a/c system is still running perfectly after 12 years...So far[knock on wood]...

Now if any of the hoses or connections seem to have an oily or dirty buildup on them then you have a leak and guess what comes out of a slow refrigerant leak...Oil and that is why dirt is attracted to that spot...If you have lost oil through a leak then the system, when it is being run, may be low on lubrication and eventually that will cause noises, squeaks, and a locked compressor...

Unfortunately there is not an easy way to check the oil level in the a/c system...If you have lost oil, realistically, the only true way to know what is in the system is to recover the refrigerant, drain the oil out and replace it with the correct amount...You probably have a leak anyway and this would be the correct time to fix it and bring the oil amount back to spec...

Some people will just add an oil charge to the system and let it go which will introduce oil to the a/c system but having too much oil in the system will cause it to not cool as well and can cause a compressor lockup depending on how much oil is flowing through the compressor...

With all that being said...If the noise you hear happens with the compressor NOT running, the noise is coming from the compressor clutch unit, probably from the bearing that holds the pulley in place...If so the compressor clutch can be replaced without distrubing the refrigerant system...The clutch is held onto the compressor by a center nut and a snap ring...