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2002 ETC A/C Compressor Noise


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My 2002 ETC with a rebuilt compressor a couple of years ago has developed an intermittent noise and failure to produce cold air.

It's a noise coming from the compressor that sounds mostly like a kid's spinner with a ball bearing missing.  And, looking at it, it looks like the pulley is a little wobbly while its rotating.  And, in contrast to the prior day, it's not producing cold air.  The noise is the same whether the A/C is turned on at the dash.  It seems to be more noisy when the car is under acceleration.

It has gone noisy and produced no cold air on days when it's real hot outside, and after a  half-hour or so of driving.  And mostly lately it's been working just fine.

I attach a file with the noise.  

THANKS

Jul 06, 2018 18_08_59.caf

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I cant listen to the sound file but it sounds like your clutch is slipping, watch the front end of it to see if it has stopped spinning when the AC stops putting out cold air

If I recall, there may be an adjustment to adjust the air gap.

It is possible that the clutch and hub can be replaced without the compressor

Lets see if we can get @KHE to pop in, he is good with these AC units

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.020-.025 is where i set it.  If the clutch is turning slow or rubbing when disengaged it needs adjusted.

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I couldn't open the sound file but from the description, it could be the clutch gap may be too wide.  The spec is .020-.030".  You can check that with a feeler gage and if it is out of spec, it can be adjusted but you need the clutch plate tools.  Autozone has them in their loan a tool program.

If the pulley is wobbling, that could be a bad bearing.  The bearing can be replaced without messing with the refrigerant charge.

If this were my car, I'd check the clutch air gap, if good, remove the serpentine belt and spin the pulley to check the hub bearing.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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Thanks Kevin @KHE, hope you are well 

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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Sounds like your clutch is not working. 

I have to warn that if that compressor is aftermarket I would not have much faith in the clutch not self destructing.

I have seen too many that came apart shortly after a clutch failed.

Was the ac working good before the noise started? It is very possible that the gap was never set correctly and it wore out prematurely

GM FAN FOREVER

Nice, clean, luxury= fine automobile

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Thanks, Gents, for all the information!

The A/C blows cold when the clutch is working.  This is an intermittent condition, and seems to be generated by ambient temperature.  

When the car is at idle, though, even if the noise is not present, there's no appreciable cooling of the air going on.  This has been going on for a long time, and I hadn't really paid attention, but, it seems to make sense that the clutch is slipping generally, which might be an indicator of the problem.

The Compressor is after-market.  If I buy an AC Delco clutch, is it a fair chancel it will fit?

And, Amazon has a clutch bearing listed separately.  Will I need that, or is that part of the clutch?

 

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I have good luck with ACdelco and 4 seasons.

Not so good luck with valeo.

If the AC blows warm at idle it is one of a few things. 

Overcharged system. This puts a strain on the system and at idle cannot handle the excess flow. Basically the compressor is working too hard at idle.

Condenser fan may be plugged or not working. 

Condenser may be plugged. 

Ditto on the clutch bearing. I would think it would come with the kit.

If the system is unknown I usually replace the whole things as the reed valves get worn out over time and the seals can leak.

GM FAN FOREVER

Nice, clean, luxury= fine automobile

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Thanks!

The compressor is maybe 10,000 miles old, so I'm going to get the clutch replaced.

The AC clutch doesn't look like it has the bearing, so I'll get one of those too.

 

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