Clicking Noise when AC is on...

piffsedge13 · 03-17-2008, 03:09 PM

Hey all,
I have a rookie question. So when I drive my truck with the AC on, I can hear a clicking sound. I have observed the compressor when the truck is idling, and the noise continues. Is this something to worry about, or is it characteristic of my truck. My 1983 Ranger, never made this noise. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

**MAKG** · 03-17-2008, 03:31 PM

Is the clicking sound continuous or occasional? The latter is normal. For your 1983 as well (unless it doesn't work or doesn't have A/C).

piffsedge13 · 03-17-2008, 03:48 PM

It is just occasional. Thanks The 83' didn't have AC, thats why I was unsure.

**MAKG** · 03-17-2008, 07:22 PM

It's just the compressor clutch cycling. You WANT to hear this click every once in a while; it's not correct operation (usually) for the compressor to be continuously on or off.

It's just trying to keep the evaporator pressure near 25 PSI. When it gets too high, it turns the compressor off. When it gets too low, it turns it back on. That's the click.

skippy · 03-17-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAKG

It's just the compressor clutch cycling. You WANT to hear this click every once in a while; it's not correct operation (usually) for the compressor to be continuously on or off.

It's just trying to keep the evaporator pressure near 25 PSI. When it gets too high, it turns the compressor off. When it gets too low, it turns it back on. That's the click.

mike,are you sure about this?lp switch cuts out on low pressure setting,in when pressure rises above cutout setting plus any built in differential.

**MAKG** · 03-17-2008, 07:33 PM

You're right. I got it backwards.

I need some caffeine.

The evaporator is on the suction side of the compressor, so turning the compressor on LOWERS the evaporator pressure.

skippy · 03-17-2008, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAKG

You're right. I got it backwards.

I need some caffeine.

The evaporator is on the suction side of the compressor, so turning the compressor on LOWERS the evaporator pressure.

mike,i recommend maxwell house.still working nights?

RobbieD · 03-17-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skippy

mike,i recommend maxwell house.still working nights?

Maxwell House is good, but if you've got a Publix grocery in your neck of the woods, try some of their Fog Lifter coffee. Got a little more octane.

Joshs93four-oh · 03-18-2008, 12:25 AM

My compressor, which is original, makes constant fairly loud clicking sounds when the air conditioning is on. My sound is continuous and coming from the pistons in the compressor and has not got any better or worse in 8 years. My system loses about 3oz of r-12 a year, which I consider routine leakage for a system of its age. Not saying that the noise is ok, but I have heard this on some ford compressors. Not a problem YET in my truck. I evacuate, vacuum, and recharge the system every season. Josh
________
Honda Vt750

**MAKG** · 03-18-2008, 10:38 AM

There is no such thing as routine leakage.

Continuous clicking is a failed compressor. Probably why it's leaking.

Please stop wasting the R-12. You're only making it more expensive for the rest of us.

Skippy, no the telescope primary mirror has been removed for coating, so there is no observation to be done (the telescope is unbalanced without the mirror, so we can't even move it). And good God, one week of 12 hour overnight shifts is quite enough, thankyouverymuch.

piffsedge13 · 03-18-2008, 10:51 AM

Thanks guys, that puts my mind at ease. I appreciate it

skippy · 03-18-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAKG

There is no such thing as routine leakage.

Continuous clicking is a failed compressor. Probably why it's leaking.

Please stop wasting the R-12. You're only making it more expensive for the rest of us.

Skippy, no the telescope primary mirror has been removed for coating, so there is no observation to be done (the telescope is unbalanced without the mirror, so we can't even move it). And good God, one week of 12 hour overnight shifts is quite enough, thankyouverymuch.

i hear ya,been there done that with regard to the overnights,takes awhile for the internal clock to recover.

03-17-2008, 03:09 PM	#1
piffsedge13 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Year: 2005 Make: Ford Model: Edge 3.0L V6 Engine: 3.0 L V6 Class: 2WD Off-Road Used For: Everything Posts: 43 Rep Power: 11 iTrader: (0)	Clicking Noise when AC is on... Hey all, I have a rookie question. So when I drive my truck with the AC on, I can hear a clicking sound. I have observed the compressor when the truck is idling, and the noise continues. Is this something to worry about, or is it characteristic of my truck. My 1983 Ranger, never made this noise. Any ideas? Thanks in advance. __________________ 2005 Ranger Edge, V6, 3.0 L, 8.8 w/ 4.10, 5-Speed Mods: 31x1050R15 BFG AT, Truxxx Level kit, Rancho RS5000 Shocks, Gibson Cat Back System, Volant CAI, Eaton E Locker, Underdog UD, Alt, WP Pulleys
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03-17-2008, 03:31 PM	#2
MAKG RBV Technical Advisor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California central coast Year: 1991 Make: Ford Model: Explorer Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Posts: 4,643 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (0)	Is the clicking sound continuous or occasional? The latter is normal. For your 1983 as well (unless it doesn't work or doesn't have A/C). __________________ 1990 VW Jetta GL, 1.8L 8V gasoline engine, manual transmission, painted in oxidized red paint and ponderosa pine sap, unknown mileage. 1991 Exploder, 4.0L, M5OD-R1 manual transmission, electronic BW1354 transfer case, 3.54 gears, 31 inch tires, icky two-tone blue paint with little clear coat, 230K miles. 1972 Chevy C-10, 250 I-6, SM465 (2WD) four-on-the-floor, 3.73 gears in a GM 12-bolt, puke green with a white cab. The "4 wheeled trash can," with x70K miles. x is probably 2.
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03-17-2008, 03:48 PM	#3
piffsedge13 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Year: 2005 Make: Ford Model: Edge 3.0L V6 Engine: 3.0 L V6 Class: 2WD Off-Road Used For: Everything Posts: 43 Rep Power: 11 iTrader: (0)	It is just occasional. Thanks The 83' didn't have AC, thats why I was unsure. __________________ 2005 Ranger Edge, V6, 3.0 L, 8.8 w/ 4.10, 5-Speed Mods: 31x1050R15 BFG AT, Truxxx Level kit, Rancho RS5000 Shocks, Gibson Cat Back System, Volant CAI, Eaton E Locker, Underdog UD, Alt, WP Pulleys
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03-17-2008, 07:22 PM	#4
MAKG RBV Technical Advisor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California central coast Year: 1991 Make: Ford Model: Explorer Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Posts: 4,643 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (0)	It's just the compressor clutch cycling. You WANT to hear this click every once in a while; it's not correct operation (usually) for the compressor to be continuously on or off. It's just trying to keep the evaporator pressure near 25 PSI. When it gets too high, it turns the compressor off. When it gets too low, it turns it back on. That's the click. __________________ 1990 VW Jetta GL, 1.8L 8V gasoline engine, manual transmission, painted in oxidized red paint and ponderosa pine sap, unknown mileage. 1991 Exploder, 4.0L, M5OD-R1 manual transmission, electronic BW1354 transfer case, 3.54 gears, 31 inch tires, icky two-tone blue paint with little clear coat, 230K miles. 1972 Chevy C-10, 250 I-6, SM465 (2WD) four-on-the-floor, 3.73 gears in a GM 12-bolt, puke green with a white cab. The "4 wheeled trash can," with x70K miles. x is probably 2.
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03-17-2008, 07:33 PM	#6
MAKG RBV Technical Advisor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California central coast Year: 1991 Make: Ford Model: Explorer Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Posts: 4,643 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (0)	You're right. I got it backwards. I need some caffeine. The evaporator is on the suction side of the compressor, so turning the compressor on LOWERS the evaporator pressure. __________________ 1990 VW Jetta GL, 1.8L 8V gasoline engine, manual transmission, painted in oxidized red paint and ponderosa pine sap, unknown mileage. 1991 Exploder, 4.0L, M5OD-R1 manual transmission, electronic BW1354 transfer case, 3.54 gears, 31 inch tires, icky two-tone blue paint with little clear coat, 230K miles. 1972 Chevy C-10, 250 I-6, SM465 (2WD) four-on-the-floor, 3.73 gears in a GM 12-bolt, puke green with a white cab. The "4 wheeled trash can," with x70K miles. x is probably 2.
	Tweet

03-18-2008, 12:25 AM	#9
Joshs93four-oh Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fremont, Ohio Year: 1993 Make: Ford Model: Ranger xlt 2wd short cab short bed Engine: 4.0L/245CID Class: 2WD Used For: Daily Driver Posts: 114 Rep Power: 11 iTrader: (0)	My compressor, which is original, makes constant fairly loud clicking sounds when the air conditioning is on. My sound is continuous and coming from the pistons in the compressor and has not got any better or worse in 8 years. My system loses about 3oz of r-12 a year, which I consider routine leakage for a system of its age. Not saying that the noise is ok, but I have heard this on some ford compressors. Not a problem YET in my truck. I evacuate, vacuum, and recharge the system every season. Josh ________ Honda Vt750 Last edited by Joshs93four-oh; 03-04-2011 at 01:46 AM.
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03-18-2008, 10:38 AM	#10
MAKG RBV Technical Advisor Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: California central coast Year: 1991 Make: Ford Model: Explorer Engine: 4.0L Class: 4x4 Posts: 4,643 Rep Power: 21 iTrader: (0)	There is no such thing as routine leakage. Continuous clicking is a failed compressor. Probably why it's leaking. Please stop wasting the R-12. You're only making it more expensive for the rest of us. Skippy, no the telescope primary mirror has been removed for coating, so there is no observation to be done (the telescope is unbalanced without the mirror, so we can't even move it). And good God, one week of 12 hour overnight shifts is quite enough, thankyouverymuch. __________________ 1990 VW Jetta GL, 1.8L 8V gasoline engine, manual transmission, painted in oxidized red paint and ponderosa pine sap, unknown mileage. 1991 Exploder, 4.0L, M5OD-R1 manual transmission, electronic BW1354 transfer case, 3.54 gears, 31 inch tires, icky two-tone blue paint with little clear coat, 230K miles. 1972 Chevy C-10, 250 I-6, SM465 (2WD) four-on-the-floor, 3.73 gears in a GM 12-bolt, puke green with a white cab. The "4 wheeled trash can," with x70K miles. x is probably 2.
	Tweet

03-18-2008, 10:51 AM	#11
piffsedge13 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Year: 2005 Make: Ford Model: Edge 3.0L V6 Engine: 3.0 L V6 Class: 2WD Off-Road Used For: Everything Posts: 43 Rep Power: 11 iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys, that puts my mind at ease. I appreciate it __________________ 2005 Ranger Edge, V6, 3.0 L, 8.8 w/ 4.10, 5-Speed Mods: 31x1050R15 BFG AT, Truxxx Level kit, Rancho RS5000 Shocks, Gibson Cat Back System, Volant CAI, Eaton E Locker, Underdog UD, Alt, WP Pulleys
	Tweet

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