Ac Noises When Turned On

[JBoone]

If I get in my 2005 truck, start it, when I turn on the ac it sounds like I hit the compressor with a hammer. Then if I turn it off and do it again, it clicks in normal and don't make a loud noises. Is this normal??

THANKS

 

[67guzzler]

Yup -- I believe it's normal. I get a clunk in the AM when I go to work. My 2004. 5 did it and my 2005 does it. If you search you'll find a lot of posts about it.

 

[BNH4221]

Then if I turn it off and do it again, it clicks in normal and don't make a loud noises.

Hey JBoone-



I think that the AC needs a couple of minutes to recycle. Don't know the mechanics of it but if the compressor is shut off, it can't come back on line for a couple of minutes. This might explain why it clicks in quietly.

Then again, I might be completely wrong. It wouldn't be the first time.



BTW - mine does the same thing.



Best -

Steve

 

[Matt400]

My 03 did that for 30,000 miles and its still ok, now have an 05 and it does it too. Really gets your attention.

 

[Buffalo]

My '03 does the same thing.

I seem to recall reading that it's pretty much a normal thing, for these trucks. Never had a vehicle that did that, before.



Mine does it only if you turn off the AC, and park the truck. When you restart the truck and then turn on the AC, that's when it happens. If you leave the AC on when you shut the engine off & then restart the truck, it does not seem to do it.



Maybe there is some sort of head preasure that builds up that the AC has to overcome.



Joe F. (Buffalo)

 

[CLAYTON]

My 03 does it to. Has from day one. Seems to be working fine except some warmer air out of the passenger side from time to time

 

[DavidBurt]

Yeah my 05 does it but not all the time, only once in a while in the morning when I first turn on A/C. It makes quite a crack!

Dave

 

[Bill Stockard]

My 03 does it to. Has from day one. Seems to be working fine except some warmer air out of the passenger side from time to time

For the warm air on the passenger side from time to time, my dealer added 8 oz of refrigerant to the system which fixed it.



BTW, My A/C clunks too and the 2000 I owned previously did too.



Bill

 

[RockinJ]

My '05 does it to from time to time, sounds like someone hit it with a sledgehammer when I first turn it on . . . then it begins to "short-cycle" for a while. If I switch the compressor "OFF" and then back "ON" again, the compressor clutch reverts to its normal click and it stops that short-cycling routine. No problems with cooling despite all of this, however . . .

 

[67guzzler]

RocknJ -- I noticed the short cycling too! I thought I was imagining it! It does seem to delay how quickly it starts cooling on really hot days. I'm glad someone else noticed it. I'm going to have the dealer check the refridgerant level. Maybe it's a little low.

 

[JValdez]

My 05 does it everytime it's started up. I don't have the short cycling problem and the passenger side is cold. It's less noticable if it's been driven for a while then turned on. I think it's pretty common from what I've been told.

 

[JeffKing]

My '05 did the normal 'clunk' for about 25,000 miles. Now there is a loud clunk then what sounds like a air compressor house when you change fittings with the quick release. Definately sounds like something is coming out of the coolant system. Have not noticed the AC being warn, yet.

 

[WardD]

My 03 has 39000 miles, and I've owned it since 20000. Mine actually makes two different noises. The first is a real harsh AC clutch engagement followed by a solid "thud" that sounds like someone hitting the firewall or floor pan. I haven't had a problem yet, but by the looks of this thread it must be normal.

 

[DBoggs]

My 05 didn't do it, my 06 does. When I had the computer flashed for the battery temp sensor problem the dealer also said there was a software update for the harsh a/c engagement in the same flash. Fixed the sensor problem but the a/c still clunks



I just live with it now, but it still gets my attention.

By the way my wifes 06 Charger does it also, so maybe its not just a truck issue. Maybe all Dodge vehicles do it.



Duane

 

[HKeenan]

I have an '06 with about 25,000 on it and its been doing the clunking thing trom day one. It even does it at idle at stop lights and when the stereo is off or turned down it can be heard while driving on surface streets to. It just stopped Thursday on the way to work. I checked to see if the belt came off and it ws ok. The comp still clunks tho, but with a different tone to it. Any ideas? I'm going to the dealer on Monday to get it fixed. The people in service that have these CTD's all say they do it, but only on start up. It bugs the bejeebers out of me. 06 2500 4X4 silver bone stock for now. previously a fully Banksed out 90 2X w 5sp. Almost a half million miles and the guy who bought it loves it, and a 99 with EZ ,4" exh fass{after 2 inj pumps} afe intake and 285's on pro comp wheels ATS trans w/billet converter and commander trans control. That was after I toasted the stock transmission pulling a 38' 5th a little to hard. Ats was awsome! One stout set up.

 

[DPKetchum]

I think its from where the ac oil has pooled into to the compresser. Almost a hydro lock. Been told with ac gauges hooked to the system and when first turned on in the a. m. the high side ac pressures are almost scary. Later ac turned on there normal and no noise.

 

[RBollengier]

Mine is more of an erie clunk and not all the time. But when it does it does surprise. I don't notice anything when it cycles after that. I do notice that belt screech when you turn the truck off and the AC has been on. As does anyone in the parking lot.