Air Conditioner: Loud "thunk" noise?

[bradgarbus]

Just wanted to make sure this is normal?

When I first turn on the AC (left hand button) after the car has been turned off for a while it makes a somewhat loud "thunk" that comes from the front of the car...

Is this normal?

Sometimes the "thunk" is worse than other times, just curious if this is another normal fluke for our little smarts?

The temps just spiked to 95 here in SE Virginia with high humidity. I emailed the dealer, but have not heard back yet...

Any thoughts?

[fpage77]

That was the neighbor child you ran over that you heard. I'd turn around and go turn yourself into authorities.



..... I hear no thunk when I turn on my AC.

[chieftmc]

I also have no ABNORMAL "Thunk" when I turn on the A/C.

Sounds like you might want to have the dealer check your A/C clutch

[John_H]

The thunk sounds like a bad AC clutch.

I was driving my Tbird into a local grocery store lot many, many years ago when I hear a clunk followed by a more distant rattle, rattle.... I looked over my shoulder and figured out what it was: The first sound was my AC compressor pulley leaving the car, the following rattle sounds were from the metal pulley rolling and skipping along the pavement, continuing "forward" as my car turned right.

[NeWave]

I know mine makes a little bit of a thunk and a hiss sound. Works just fine and seems normal. Then again, you have the engine alot closer to you than most other cars to be heard...

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by John_H

The thunk sounds like a bad AC clutch.

I was driving my Tbird into a local grocery store lot many, many years ago when I hear a clunk followed by a more distant rattle, rattle.... I looked over my shoulder and figured out what it was: The first sound was my AC compressor pulley leaving the car, the following rattle sounds were from the metal pulley rolling and skipping along the pavement, continuing "forward" as my car turned right.

OUCH !

[fpage77]

chieftmc is your avatar a self portrait?

[smarticus]

"chieftmc is your avatar a self portrait"

That's why you don't look up when you are changing oil that is still hot.

[GHammerly]

He says the noise comes from the front of the car, the compressor and A/C clutch are at the bach of the car so I don't know if it just sounds like it's from the front but it's really from the back or if the noise really comes from the front.
Just in case check the radiator fans for chunks of dead squirrels or rats ;)

[SuperGeek]

Mine's had a thunk since day one. Especially when it's been off for a few hours, the thunk is louder. But when I'm driving I notice a definite drag on the engine power from the AC compressor when it engages, and if I pay close attention I can hear it engage with a quieter thunk than the first one.

I had my dealer check the A/C and the tech said everything was fine.