I have a 97 SSEI . When I started it up last night I got sort of a ticking from the AC compressor after I turned on the AC and the clutch engaged the noise stopped. Is this a sign my compressor is about to take a dump, it hasnt done that again and it was after a kind of long ride. Is it fairly easy to replace? I see its kind of buried down there but is some what accessable. Thanks for the help.

if its non stop ticking..
Then it could be the clutch is going bad.
New compressor is $200+
Not to hard to change.


If its just sounds like its engaging and disengaging then it could just me low on 134a
~$6

Very interesting, mine now only seems to make this ticking noise when its engaged. I can't hear any ticking when the A/C is not working... And this A/C compressor is less than 3-4 months old

Its actually not ticking now and it ticked with the AC off after I turned it on it stopped ticking -seems fine and it only did it that one time. Is that the bearings in the compressor going bad?

If it only happened once, I would wonder if was just a fluke, although it would concern me as flukes tend to be something that'* loose and only surfaces every so often, making it hard to diagnose. If the bearings were going bad (which I've had happen before) the noise would be more prevalent. I would wait and see if the sound happens again before getting too worked up. Sometimes you'll get an odd noise every now and then.

Agreed, call it a technical difficulty unjtil you can duplicate the problem.

Thanks again everone . I wont go nuts until I need to.

Just to be sure, it'* not your climate control'* blower motor in the dash is it? (maybe a stupid question) I know mine makes a noticeable clicking sound - and could use replacement. I thought compressors made more of a grinding sound though...

No this came from under the hood I turned on the AC noise stopped. I know the noise you're talking about I get that sometime on my 99 Regal GSE . Comes and goes.

Could have been a piece of debris between the clutch and the pulley. When the AC was turned on and the clutch engaged, the crud was knocked off, or squashed, or whatever. If the compressor makes noise when it is operating, it may be low on oil or on its way out.

Same thing with the ticking blower fan. Often a leaf or bit of paper can become lodged near the blades (cage) so they strike it and make noise. Really annoying.