Clicking Noise when AC is on...

[piffsedge13]

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]

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]

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

 

[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.

 

[skippy]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[skippy]

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.