harsh ac clutch engagement

[Jordi]

The ac clutch comes on hard with clack but only at first start up. Once the truck is running i can turn it on or off and it operates quietly. Any ideas?

 

[AH64ID]

Normal. Mine does it too, and I have read many other reports of it.

If I am going to use a/c and can think ahead I'll turn the a/c on before starting the motor.

 

[Jordi]

thanx, puts my mind at rest a little

 

[AH64ID]

It's is quite a clunk!

I have also found that if I have driven for a little bit and turn the a/c on it's not near as harsh either, just that first few minutes.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Totally normal. This was discussed at length when the 3rd gens first came out.

 

[BGlidewell]

has this just started? Mine started doing it all of a sudden on a trip last summer >30k miles. Scared me because I was in west Texas. Did it for a while then stopped. Not done it in 20k miles now...

Jordi, update your signature with your truck details so we know what we're talkin about

 

[Prairie Dog]

It wont do it every time. Mine did it last week for the first time this year and it was so abrupt that I honestly thought someone had hit me in the parking lot I was in!

 

[Motorhead]

I may be wrong but I had read that the compressor being mounted down low actually fluid locks and the belt or clutch slips. That is why the noise. This occurs when the engine has sat for a while and the refrigerant liquid settles into the compressor. I have thought that when ever I have to work on my A/C down the road that I would make a liquid accumulator welded on the LOW side line below the compressor intake. I have seen them on other cars.
ONE thing I try to do for the FIRST engagement is to make sure my engine RPM's are at idle speed. If I have to turn it on and say I am going down the freeway, I clutch it into neutral, wait for the RPM to drop and then push the A/C compressor button.
Hydro locking on an A/C compressor is hard on them.

 

[Jordi]

BGlidewell, I don't know why my truck details don't show up when I post. They are there on the details page. I'm much better with a wrench than a computer. It's an 03 HO/auto 4x4, completely stock.

 

[MVenditti]

Mine has done it since new with no problems but scary. I read on one of the forums a guy tightened the bolt for the clutch and no more noise. ????? Worth a try i guess.

 

[p-Bar]

I think there is a flash for that issue or I could be smokin' crack can't remember now