Ticking noise when A/C is on

[AJRK]

My 2000 Limited V6 (149,000KM/95,000Mi) has made a slight ticking noise when the Air Conditioning is on for quite some time, but never very loudly.
Yesterday I used the A/C for the first time in a couple of months and the noise was much louder and almost sounded like a "sizzling". It was happening roughly every 7 seconds. It died down a little after I had been driving about 45 minutes, but then today it did it again.

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[mersberg]

On my 2000 V6 the noise I get sounds similar to yours and I get them from the tensioner pulley right below the alternator, the noise comes on only when there is a load like the AC is on. Hope that helps.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Mine tends to tick (sounds just like a noisy lifter) when the fan is on. (manual controls) When the fan is off, it stops. Tensioner pulley is brand new. Weird problem, I only hear it at a drive through when the noise bounces off the wall.

 

[dynamite196]

It could be caused by low refrigerant, either that or the compressor is on its way out. I had a similar noise on my ex last year and it turned out to be a bad compressor. I bought a rebuilt one for $130 shipped.

 

[AJRK]

Thanks for the info everyone.

How would I find out if the refrigerant is low? And can it be refilled?

 

[dynamite196]

The easiest way is to start the car, turn on the a/c and listen if the compressor cycles on and off constantly (every 10-15 seconds or so). A shop could also check this for you by attaching gauges to the system and checking the low side pressure. Refrigerant can be added however, I'd bring it to a shop to have it diagnosed if that's the case. If you need to add refrigerant, you most likely have a leak somewhere which needs to be fixed.

 

[aldive]

Remove the belt and check to see if the sound is still there.

Good luck ...

 

[jls1znv9999]

I had the same thing happen, come to find out it was the bearing. It wasn't all that hard. The new bearing comes with new clutch and everything. Just take a few hours to do and make sure you have the following:
Snap ring pliers, socket set w/extension, pb blaster, gap gauge, and a rubber mallet.

If this is your problem be forwarned:
in order to get the proper angle you will need to pull the compressor, this requires the removal of the refrig lines on the rear. Be sure to loosen the bolts slowly you will start hearing a hissing sound. This is the coolant leaking out. Just open it slowly otherwise it will throw the rubber rings out.
Or you could use a type of vacum system to collect the coolant.

 

[AJRK]

Thanks for the help. I'll be looking into it this week.

 

[AJRK]

So, I have discovered the source of this noise. The compressor is cycling on and off roughly every 8 seconds. My mechanic says it is most likely due to low refrigerant. I'm taking it to him on Friday to get it checked and fixed up.