Tik-tik Noise When Switching On A/c

[Az]

Hi folks,

When I switch on the A/C in my car, there is (quite a loud) clicking noise which is coming from under the bonnet. It sounds as if something is engaging or a relay noise. The car is a Vios, aand I'm not sure whether that sound has been there throughout. Is this normal or can this be due to some issue?

Edited March 21, 2010 by Az

[Chris0628]

  Az said:

Hi folks,

When I switch on the A/C in my car, there is (quite a loud) clicking noise which is coming from under the bonnet. It sounds as if something is engaging or a relay noise. The car is a Vios, aand I'm not sure whether that sound has been there throughout. Is this normal or can this be due to some issue?

Think that's the A/C Compressor clutch being engaged...

[MasterDon]

does the noise disappear when you rev up the engine?

[fookie]

  MasterDon said:

does the noise disappear when you rev up the engine?

I am having the same problem in my car. In mine, it does goes out when I rev up or put the gear in to the N position. The noise comes when the car is stopped in traffic etc. I showed it to a mechanic and he did some adjustments related to the accelerator cable, but the problem still exist

[VVTi]

Check your AC compressor... It could be a worn comp clutch. This a chrocnic isue in some Mazdas and Fords.

[harshansenadhir]

Let me get this straight, is it one time click noise as compressor engages or it continuous as compressor is being engage? If it's one time then it's the sound of electric clutch of compressor engages. If its continuous then it must be the bearing of the compressor pulley.

[miniace]

Usually this high frequency "Tic-Tic" noise from the A/C compressor means the compressor is on its way out.So start saving money for a possible compressor replacement in 3-4 months time.(sometimes it can be more than that)

In some cases when the compressor operating pressure rises due refrigerant cross contamination or too much air inside the system or in extereme case,wrong type compressor lubricant also causing this.What ever the case,thats a sure sign of the final stages of life IMO.

MINIACE

[megatron]

  MasterDon said:

does the noise disappear when you rev up the engine?

experiencing the same prob, the noise goes off when engine is revved up. is it caused by a worn out bearing?

[megatron]

  miniace said:

Usually this high frequency "Tic-Tic" noise from the A/C compressor means the compressor is on its way out.So start saving money for a possible compressor replacement in 3-4 months time.(sometimes it can be more than that)

In some cases when the compressor operating pressure rises due refrigerant cross contamination or too much air inside the system or in extereme case,wrong type compressor lubricant also causing this.What ever the case,thats a sure sign of the final stages of life IMO.

MINIACE

Hi I checked this out in my car yesterday. (nissan FN15) The guy said its a prob with the compressor bearing and since the compressor is sealed that I have to replace it. Is this true? Anyways he said I could run on it for a while till the noise picks up further. (turning up the radio helps me forget the noise

[harshansenadhir]

  megatron said:

Hi I checked this out in my car yesterday. (nissan FN15) The guy said its a prob with the compressor bearing and since the compressor is sealed that I have to replace it. Is this true? Anyways he said I could run on it for a while till the noise picks up further. (turning up the radio helps me forget the noise

just check whether this is the inner bearing or the one with the pulley. If its inner one then there's a high chance of what he said to be true. However keep in mind that these guys are just lazy to repair compressors since complete used ones are up for sale at affordable price.