sluggish, won't downshift right...related to A/C perhaps

Problem 1 - rattling sound coming from engine compartment (as if motor is making aweful sound). Cut off A/C, sounds like a singer sewing machine. Obviously something in the A/C system. Blows cold, so I think something may be loose. I'm going to dig in this weekend but doubt I'll find anythig I'll be able to fix.

Problem 2 - Recently started feeling sluggish during acceleration. No hesitation, just doesn't pick-up and run like it should. Seems like it's just not shifting down when accelerating at higher speeds and that it's shifting up too far or too soon at lower speeds. It feels exactly like a manual shift car would if you were one gear too high. Smooth, but slooooowwww. This can be overcome by flooring it, but then it skips a gear and winds the RPMs up like a cheap Happy Meal toy.

If I cut the A/C off during the sluggishness, the car instantly behaves as normal, leading me to beleive they MAY be related.

Any ideas?

BTW, I'm going to try my $900 24hr disconnect trick this weekend. Maybe I'll get a 2-for-1 special. :banghead:

110K miles

Your problem sounds like Wylies. You can try doing your so called trick but don't count on it. Each problem should be looked at individually.

On your A/C problem is the noise there with the compressor on and off?

Only rattles when the A/C is on. Is the compressor always on when the A/C is on? I don't know. I just know it's always noisy when the A/C is on.

Only rattles when the A/C is on. Is the compressor always on when the A/C is on? I don't know. I just know it's always noisy when the A/C is on.

Normally the compressor is engaged most of the time when the A/C is on and it will cycle on/off depending on driving and engine conditions. The part that operates the compressor is the clutch. It sounds like you may have a noisy AC clutch. There is an air gap that can be adjusted at the clutch but it is not an easy job. Check for any possible metal shavings.

The compressor may also give off a motorboat type sound that changes with speed and acceleration if the refrigerant charge is borderline.

Could that be causing the sluggish acceleration?

Could that be causing the sluggish acceleration?

I seriously doubt it. When the A/C is off the clutch allows it to freewheel so I doubt there is any significant load on the engine to cause sluggish acceleration.

How old is your CAT convertor?

Airflow was one of my thoughts. I've got a new air filter (and fuel filter ) to put on this weekend. Cat is original, so 110K miles and 6yrs.

It's been my experience that a bad A/C compressor clutch will be noisy with the A/C off, and quiet when it's on. When on, the clutch and pulley are pulled together and the noise goes away. I think the front shaft bearing in your compressor is going bad (or your system is low on freon/oil), since it's noisier when the A/C is on, and it's robbing power from the engine when engaged. The converter is a good thing to check also, as there is a known issue with 01-02 GP's converters, and your 00 could be a late production model.

How can I check the oil/freon levels, or can I? Is it a sealed system? When I stareted up this morning and was letting it idle with the A/C on, I could hear the rattling come and go and it sounded exactly like something that needed lubrication, got a little, then needed some more.

If it's the front shaft bearing, can that be replaced or does the whole compressor get changed?

Monkeylizard, you may want to start a new thread, as this one is over a month old. To answer your question, you can check freon level with a pressure guage, but there is no way to check refrigerant oil level. As bnaylor stated earlier, do a visual inspection of the a/c clutch and look for metal shavings around the front of the pulley. The noise you're hearing is most likely from the A/C clutch as the compressor kicks in and out.

He's OK Rich. He can continue posting in this thread. We will allow an exception to the old thread rule in this case since he is the original poster of the thread.

Less hassle.

The bolts holding the bracket on the AC compressor got loose and the whole thing buzzed and rattled when the compressor was engaged on my '86 Cutlass Ciera w/Iron Duke 4 banger.

Thanks guys. I'll get in it this weekend and post back on Monday with the results. I've got an appointment next Wed. with the dealership, so I've got my fall-back plan if I can't fix it.

Rained all weekend. Going to try to get under it tonight...if it doesn't rain again and I think it's supposed to...

The bolts are nice and tight and I see no metal shavings... Going to the stealership tomorrow. I'll take some Vaseline with me...

I didn't take enough Vaseline...They said the compressor is coming apart. Just a shade over $1000.00. About $500 for the compressor, $480 in labor, and some misc. stuff for freon, etc.

Any ideas anyone? It's not going to be a DIY job for me and I have no reputable mechanics that I know in this town. Am I pretty much screwed? Is that a fair price or should I look elsewhere? They said the longer I go, the worse it will get and continue to send more metal into the system and cost more later.

???