Chirp in Air compresser

[Hack Goby]

Every time my air compresser kicks on(often)I get a "chirp" loud enough to hear even with the windows up.The dealer(Stu Evens) says that its normal.Anybody else have this happen on there cars?

[RoyLPita]

This must only happen on 2004 MMs. J/K. Junehhan had the same problem on his '04. I found it by typing "Chirp" in serach.

[MENINBLK]

Every time my air compresser kicks on(often)I get a "chirp" loud enough to hear even with the windows up.The dealer(Stu Evens) says that its normal.Anybody else have this happen on there cars?

I don't get a chirp but I get a loud metallic CLAP when the A/C Compressor clutch is energized.
Someone has had their AC Compressor out and had the clutch pack adjusted and reinstalled
as well as removing the shims from between the AC Compressor and the engine block,
and it quieted it down a lot.

It should make some noise, but not at the volume that MINE is making.
I can hear it on the highway, with the windows up, roof closed, and radio on! :eek:
Whenever it turns on, the people sitting next to me give me the 'WTFWT?" look... :confused:
I've also just turned 10k miles and its been getting louder since about 4k miles.

My Dealership is going to look at it when I have my next service (12k).
The Service Manager has listened to it and agrees that it shouldn't be that loud.

[TripleTransAm]

I'd describe mine as a loud metallic click. Yes, it's sometimes audible on the highway at highway speeds... sometimes I think it's a ping or knock from the engine, but I've since kept reminding myself it's just the compressor. The sound is VERY similar to the quick engine knock you'd get on lower octane during TCC application at low vehicle speeds.

I'm living with it. Just like I'm living with the audible hiss from my power steering pump (sometimes even noticeable with A/C off and windows up at highway speeds during a sweeping turn, for instance).

Great design...

[Racerx88]

My '03 did not do it, but my '04 does.
I had the dealer note in my car's file. If it goes out.....well, we'll see.

[Marauderjack]

Remove the bolt in the center of the clutch and take the plate off. Now remove a shim or two to get the gap between the plate and the clutch down to about .010" and you should minimize the click and the chirp!!

My 2000 CV was really bad and a $35.00 three minute procedure (above) fixed it!!

Give it a try :)

Marauderjack ;)

[junehhan]

Every time my air compresser kicks on(often)I get a "chirp" loud enough to hear even with the windows up.The dealer(Stu Evens) says that its normal.Anybody else have this happen on there cars?


I had the exact same problem you did, and it was solved by the dealership taking the shim out, cleaning it, and reshimming the a/c clutch.

[Mr Johnson]

This has been driving me ape *%&# recently. It's incredible how loud this is on my 04. Not even cheap Korean cars make quite so much noise when the AC compressor kicks on.

I too was told it was normal and even heard a Town Car and Grand Marquis make exactly the same loud noises. I thought I was hosed.

Thanks for the heads-up and I'll try this to see if it helps.

[FiveO]

I'm getting this chirp in my 04 also.

Thanks for the info!

I'll pass it onto the dealer when I take it in next time.


Hmm....would this be under warranty?

[buckyboy]

yup...i got it too....04 mm....glad to hear the problem can be resolved!
I'm getting this chirp in my 04 also.

Thanks for the info!

I'll pass it onto the dealer when I take it in next time.


Hmm....would this be under warranty?

[buckyboy]

btw, the stripes on the last mm looks badd a**! Love it!
Every time my air compresser kicks on(often)I get a "chirp" loud enough to hear even with the windows up.The dealer(Stu Evens) says that its normal.Anybody else have this happen on there cars?

[gpfarrell]

Whenever my '03 is feeling blue it'll chirp. Seemed to do it more in the spring time than lately... perhaps the compressor cycled off/on more then and now it's just on?

Not terrible, but its on my list.

[ncmm]

just noticed them same on my '04. Hadn't had the air on till the past week.
Funny thing. . .a F150 that was driving next to me was doing the same. . .

[MarauderMark]

Mine sounds like a door in a house slammin closed when it engages..Sometimes it's loud but most of the time i don't even hear .Like for the past 5 months i haven't heard a thing from my car.. :baaa:

[Bradley G]

Mine did that last summer!I did not do anything about it yet.

I have not heard it lately.


Every time my air compresser kicks on(often)I get a "chirp" loud enough to hear even with the windows up.The dealer(Stu Evens) says that its normal.Anybody else have this happen on there cars?

[Directedby]

Yup, got the chirp on my '04.

[Hack Goby]

Yup, got the chirp on my '04.
Mine is still there but it just dont bother me anymore.

[ckadiddle]

Noticed the chirp the other day...was driving with windows down and A/C on. Thought it was a little louder than it should have been, but was more concerned about how frequently it chirped on and off. Cools well, though.

[ncmm]

Noticed the chirp the other day...was driving with windows down and A/C on. Thought it was a little louder than it should have been, but was more concerned about how frequently it chirped on and off. Cools well, though.
yep, I'm concerned too, does it about every 30 seconds when driving. I parked, got out and watched the a/c unit for about 5 minutes. The longer it sat idling the longer the times between chirps(compressor coming on). Plus I noticed a hissing sound, maybe it's the freon moving about. I know it cools well but I'm still going to mention it as a concern the next trip to the dealer.

[frdwrnch]

They recently released a service message outlining changing the compressor clutch air gap with shims to correct this condition.

[Bradley G]

The hissing is probably the air ride suspension letting some air out to compensate for your weight,:D no longer in the car.

Bradley G


yep, I'm concerned too, does it about every 30 seconds when driving. I parked, got out and watched the a/c unit for about 5 minutes. The longer it sat idling the longer the times between chirps(compressor coming on). Plus I noticed a hissing sound, maybe it's the freon moving about. I know it cools well but I'm still going to mention it as a concern the next trip to the dealer.

[MENINBLK]

They recently released a service message outlining changing the compressor clutch air gap with shims to correct this condition.

You have a TSB # on this ???

[04MEMA]

Yup, mine's chirping all the time! Stupid thing! I'll get around to fixing it someday...

Jeff

[Fourth Horseman]

Mine doesn't chirp so much as clunk whenever the a/c clutch engages. I took it into the dealership yesterday for a warranty repair. They totally balked at fixing it. "It's working ok, that sound is normal." I got pissy about it and the service writer said he'd talk to his boss. Today I get a voice mail: "Your A/C was much louder this morning than yesterday, we're ordering a new clutch and pulley assembly."

Yeah. It's louder today than yesterday. Riiiiiight... :rolleyes: At least it's going to be fixed.

[Fourth Horseman]

Mine doesn't chirp so much as clunk whenever the a/c clutch engages. I took it into the dealership yesterday for a warranty repair. They totally balked at fixing it. "It's working ok, that sound is normal." I got pissy about it and the service writer said he'd talk to his boss. Today I get a voice mail: "Your A/C was much louder this morning than yesterday, we're ordering a new clutch and pulley assembly."

Yeah. It's louder today than yesterday. Riiiiiight... :rolleyes: At least it's going to be fixed.

In the credit where credit is due category, Greg Krueger Lincoln Mercury here in Salt Lake City did a good job on my A/C. They replaced the clutch and pulley and recharged the A/C while they were at it. I had to fight them a bit to get it done, but when they did it they did a good job. The A/C still clicks a bit when engaging, but it's not audible from within the car anymore.

[Bluerauder]

They replaced the clutch and pulley and recharged the A/C while they were at it. I had to fight them a bit to get it done, but when they did it they did a good job. The A/C still clicks a bit when engaging, but it's not audible from within the car anymore.
Just noticed that my A/C doesn't seem to be putting out cold air anymore ... just kinda cool even if I set the temp to 65 degrees. :( System was "recharged" last summer about this same time for similar symptoms. Could the clutch clank sound be related to A/C leakage as well?? :dunno:

[Fourth Horseman]

Just noticed that my A/C doesn't seem to be putting out cold air anymore ... just kinda cool even if I set the temp to 65 degrees. :( System was "recharged" last summer about this same time for similar symptoms. Could the clutch clank sound be related to A/C leakage as well?? :dunno:

I'm no A/C expert, but I wouldn't think so. More likely you might have a leak in a hose or somewhere in the compressor itself. Your dealer service center should be able to track that down. I know they have gear that locates the source of a leak.

[Dan19063]

Now mine makes this chirp sound when the compressor goes on but it usually only does it when I am actually driving the car. It does not seem to do it when im just sitting still. Hopefully my boys at Northeast L/M will take care of the problem. I will have to make an appointment.:coolman:




In the credit where credit is due category, Greg Krueger Lincoln Mercury here in Salt Lake City did a good job on my A/C. They replaced the clutch and pulley and recharged the A/C while they were at it. I had to fight them a bit to get it done, but when they did it they did a good job. The A/C still clicks a bit when engaging, but it's not audible from within the car anymore.