Need help with engine nosie

[wellimtheman]

Hello, I have a '99 explorer and need help with a nosie I've discovered coming from the last pulley on the driver's side the belt goes around. The following pics show my situation. Any suggestions on how to fix this?

Thanks,
Drew

 

[joe doe]

thats the a/c compressor .turn off the a/c ,or unplug it .theres a electrical wire connector on it ,unplug it for winter if the sound bothers you .
this will also run when you have the heater control in defrost mode .

dont worry what you are seeing is normal .unless it starts making a whining noise .

 

[DaExplorer]

Sounds to me like the system is low on R134. That will make it short cycle, clicking on and off all the time. Add a can and see if that solves the issue. To Unplug it will cause the defroster not to work right which could be a saftey issue while trying to see where your are driving this winter. ( just my thoughts) hope this helps.

 

[joe doe]

unplugging it has no ill effect on the defrosters .we use heat not cold to defrost a window .i been doing it forever.
it is made to come on with the defrosters so that it gets cycled during the winter months ,keeping the seals lubed and what not .no other reason really .

 

[DaExplorer]

I thought that Willimtheman asked how to FIX this. Unplugging it doesn't really fix it.

unplugging it has no ill effect on the defrosters .we use heat not cold to defrost a window .i been doing it forever.
it is made to come on with the defrosters so that it gets cycled during the winter months ,keeping the seals lubed and what not .no other reason really .

There is really a reason.

The air conditioner comes on by design, to remove humidity from the air.
This helps to keep the windows from fogging up. Of course it depends on the weather and where you live. In really cold areas you want as much heat as possible so you turn the heat knob all the way up.

So there is a lot of debate on this and it would be really nice to be able decide when it should or should not come on.

Joe Doe, I mean no disrespect, we all have opinions and some good ideas. I was just trying to help Mellimtheman correctly FIX his issue.

 

[yavapaires]

unplugging it has no ill effect on the defrosters .we use heat not cold to defrost a window .i been doing it forever.
it is made to come on with the defrosters so that it gets cycled during the winter months ,keeping the seals lubed and what not .no other reason really .

Yes, there is supposedly another reason. It is to dehumidify the air. At least that is what the manufacturer says. Doesn't mean I agree with that. I usually unplug mine in the winter. Why in good sense would you want to cool the defrost air when you are trying warm the glass to keep the windshield clear on fog???????

 

[yavapaires]

I thought that Willimtheman asked how to FIX this. Unplugging it doesn't really fix it.



There is really a reason.

The air conditioner comes on by design, to remove humidity from the air.
This helps to keep the windows from fogging up. Of course it depends on the weather and where you live. In really cold areas you want as much heat as possible so you turn the heat knob all the way up.

So there is a lot of debate on this and it would be really nice to be able decide when it should or should not come on.

Joe Doe, I mean no disrespect, we all have opinions and some good ideas. I was just trying to help Mellimtheman correctly FIX his issue.

Yep, I think the only problem wellimtheman has is a low charge in the A/C system. But in really cold climates, I see no reason to have the compressor come on in the winter. Having lived in northern AZ and here in Nebraska, I personally want all the heat I can get, LOL. Also, I use the A/C setting to disperse the air throughout the cabin. This allows the rear seat area to get more warm air without the driver/passenger getting blasted in the face, and the rear seat passengers getting very little warm air. Just my thoughts.

 

[bobflood]

unplugging it has no ill effect on the defrosters .we use heat not cold to defrost a window .i been doing it forever.
it is made to come on with the defrosters so that it gets cycled during the winter months ,keeping the seals lubed and what not .no other reason really .

+1 on why the A/C compressor DOES need to run in defrost mode. Here in the Southease, where humidity is high even in the winter, you need the compressor to run to remove moisture and clear the windows faster and more completely. Less of an issue in places like AZ (low humidity) or ND (really cold!)

PS Agree on the low charge response - add a can of 134a and see if the short cycling stops.

 

[wellimtheman]

Been away for awhile. Thanks for all your responses. I live in Wa, so the need for A/C minimal at best. Maybe a week or two a year. If I do add the 134, is this something I can do myself? Where and how do I add? Once again, thanks for your help.

 

[yavapaires]

Been away for awhile. Thanks for all your responses. I live in Wa, so the need for A/C minimal at best. Maybe a week or two a year. If I do add the 134, is this something I can do myself? Where and how do I add? Once again, thanks for your help.

Yes, you can DIY, though there are a lot of people who say not to do it. I have been doing my own since the mid 80's without any problems.

 

[kdspapa]

My A/C gets pretty cool but I was wondering if adding a small can of R134 would have any benefit to seals and what-not. Does the R134 lose its maintenance (can't think of the correct term) benefit as it ages?