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AC problem

C

CycoPuppet

New member
This winter was brutal on my car. During that time I noticed a noise sounding like a metal spoon scraping against a metal bowl, only way I know to describe it. It went away as the weather got better. The other day I tried the ac, which was fine a week ago, and not really cooling off. I turned it off and that sound came back. It happened once in awhile without trying the ac. Always wondered what it was and now I know it's related to the ac. When I turn the ac on it sounds like something catches and then noise goes away.

My question is, could this just be the belt or more? Also which belt? 2001 grand prix gt. Is it the serpentine or something else. Is this a complicated fix?
 


Hes right tho, dads car had that problem. Its the clutch bearings, ran for years without problems or breakage.

Sent from the Milky Way
 
just deal with it , I have 3 gms that all have this problem from one degree to an other. the intrigue did it for 7 years without hampering ac use. if you need to impress a girl with your ride just turn the ac on before you pull up.
 


A mechanic that comes to my work everyday said the same thing about the clutch. But he said that since it happens on and off the bearings could be dried out and spraying something in it wouldn't hurt. I read somewhere that something similar happens when there's a loss in pressure and charging the ac could help. Do these seem like a waste of time? That sound make me cringe.
 
So is there anything else that could be causing this? I'm just trying to exhaust all ideas cuz I really don't want to deal or pay for anything drastic. So wires or fuses or relays or anything before I even start to consider anything major. Sorry for nagging.
 
take the belt off spin the a.c clutch around, you'll hear the same sound. you can try some spray lube in side it. may quiet it down for a while.
 


Mine used to grind bad, oil stopped it for a month at a time. But weirdly it's been like 4 months and no noise, I bet if I spin the clutch in a different position it will start up again though. I am going the more labor intensive route and changing the bearing. I saw a good youtube video on it.
 
There's a few different things that can be happening.

The bearings on the ac compressor can be going. Often you will see metal flake below it when they go.
The clutch can be spaced incorrectly and cause a noise. There is a tool to space the clutch. Most guys won't try this though, they'd rather sell a compressor.

Same belt as the rest of your driven accessories. If the sound changes when you try the AC, then likely it's trying to work. Get out and take a look at the front of the compressor where the pulley front is.. does it turn when the ac is on? It shouldn't turn when the ac is off.
 
Do you have magnasteer? Happen to hhave ABS or track off light? That will disable the magnasteer and default to a stiff setting.
 
In a previous post I had I said suddenly the abs came on and hud went off. Hud is back but abs light still on. It was on before and it was a wire connection issue. I don't remember it being stiff when it lit up before.
 


Wait. I was going by some diagram I found. Not sure if it's correct. Any there is a pully in the lower front that spins when on and not when off. This is also where the sound is coming from.
 
sounds like a locked up clutch. get that changed out soon as you can. i bet its putting a lot of drag on the engine, and could be why the steering dont feel right, if you think its weaker at idle of course.

those will seize up sooner or later and lock the engine up or bust the belt.
 
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