Frequent tick on power steering pump?? HELP!!! 92 Eddie Bauer 4*4

[cdnjan]

I am unsure if it is the pump? but it is the housing right above where the fluid is checked. There are 2 different housings there but the noise is coming from the top where the belt is.

The noise is VERY frequent.

So yesterday when I stopped I looked and on the housing each time I heard the tick the wheel part on the housing kept stopping. Then it would start up again right away

I am quite certain this is all brand new.

?? is ... is this my power steering?
.......... DO I need a New one?
.......... or is it maybe only a belt issue?
.......... is a new pump and/or belt replacement easy to do or a big headache?

Should I continue driving?

P.S. I thought maybe it was a thermostat thing as I was smelling rad fluid and the truck smelled hot ... That seemed to go away as the day went on however the truck seemed to be running on the cold side as far as the instrument panel showed. <<< any input here would be appreciated also

Any input is appreciated!
Thanks So much!
Jan

 

[cdnjan]

Edited to add I believe it the air-conditioning unit

I just went out to look again and I am pretty sure it is the air conditioning unit clicking ? I believe it is above the power steering pump?

Would this then also explain the truck running colder?

I am unsure if it is the pump? but it is the housing right above where the fluid is checked. There are 2 different housings there but the noise is coming from the top where the belt is.

The noise is VERY frequent.

So yesterday when I stopped I looked and on the housing each time I heard the tick the wheel part on the housing kept stopping. Then it would start up again right away

I am quite certain this is all brand new.

?? is ... is this my power steering?
.......... DO I need a New one?
.......... or is it maybe only a belt issue?
.......... is a new pump and/or belt replacement easy to do or a big headache?

Should I continue driving?

P.S. I thought maybe it was a thermostat thing as I was smelling rad fluid and the truck smelled hot ... That seemed to go away as the day went on however the truck seemed to be running on the cold side as far as the instrument panel showed. <<< any input here would be appreciated also

Any input is appreciated!
Thanks So much!
Jan

 

[cdnjan]

PLease respond.

 

[IZwack]

Yeah sounds like the air conditioning pump -- try disconnecting the electrical connectors on the pump (or pull the air conditioning fuse, wherever that is) and the tick will probably go away.

If you could post a pic, that would be the best way of telling what is making this tick.

 

[Texan01]

Sounds more like the A/C system is cycling like it designed to do, or it may be low and cycling more often than normal.

The powersteering pumps on the OHV (which yours has) is very noisy to begin with, but they just whine.

 

[James909]

Sounds more like the A/C system is cycling like it designed to do, or it may be low and cycling more often than normal.

The powersteering pumps on the OHV (which yours has) is very noisy to begin with, but they just whine.

Agreed. How often is it cycling? If it's every few seconds then it probably just needs to be refilled with refrigerant. But it sounds like it's just the clutch on the A/C compressor engaging and disengaging, which is normal. If you turn off the A/C and the defroster the ticking should stop.

 

[cdnjan]

Thank You everyone for your replies.

The strange thing is I do not even use the air conditioner. I got the vehicle at the end of summer last year and where i live I won't be using it anyway. I did try it tho and it worked then [last fall]
So the only thing I did different last time was I had no heat on so everthing was turned off.

This seems so silly I am thinking seeing I do not use it perhaps I should just pull the fuse. I do wonder the if I should run it on occasion to just be it all working ?

"How often is it cycling? If it's every few seconds then it probably just needs to be refilled with refrigerant."
**** It is very frequent yes i would say seconds

"But it sounds like it's just the clutch on the A/C compressor engaging and disengaging, which is normal."
**** I can see it starting and stopping ...

BTW thank you for your responses I realize now I posted in the wrong forum.
Thank You
Jan

 

[James909]

You could pull the fuse for the A/C if you wanted to but imo there is no reason to do this. Just make sure that the vent selector isn't on the defrost or defrost/floor setting and make sure that the knob that controls the fan isn't pushed in (the little orange light would be on) and the compressor should stop cycling. Keep in mind that if you were to pull the fuse or disconnect the compressor you would lose some of the defroster's capabilities. This is because the defroster runs the A/C compressor in order to reduce moisture in the cabin to help prevent the glass from becoming foggy.

 

[cdnjan]

Ty James
Sorry I never had a vehicle with ac before so this is a bit foreign to me. But I get what your saying.

I know the button you speak of and it is definately off .

The only thing I did different last time was I had the cold hot slider put all the way to cold. and the fan turned off. I was just enjoying the windows open.

I do always keep the vent selector on defrost or defrost/floor.

So this must be what i am doing wrong. Next timee I will put it on floor and see if thats stops it. AS far as filling it up. Is that something we can do ourselves or does it have to go in somewhere.

Thanks so much
Jan

 

[James909]

Auto stores do sell recharge kits which I have no experience with. I would recommend going to a mechanic and having them recharge it for you. The recharge kits are more just for topping off. The A/C also requires specific pressures, so I think it is best left to the professionals with the right tools. You should also have the mechanic try to fix the leak that is in the system. The A/C does not consume the refrigerant therefore since it's low it's because it leaked from somewhere. With the leak fixed you shouldn't have to refill it anymore.