A/C squeel

[lloyd329]

Whenever I turn my A/C on it squeels for a few seconds. After the noice stops it continues to squeel now and then while the A/C is runnng and I am going down the highway. I know the A/C may be going bad. Is it possible that the A/C cluch is going bad and not the actual A/C itself? What will happen if I don't get this fixed right away? My family and I are planning on driving 1000 miles to Florida (from Pa.) in July and I don't want the possibility of it leaving us sit somewhere down the road. It has beed doing this for over two years now. Recently the noise has been louder. Since I live in Pa I only use the A/C a few months out of the year. This is one reason I have been putting it off. Now that we are going long distance for vacation in 2 1/2 months, I need to check into it.

Thanks!!!!

[coalminer]

What year and what engine does yours have in it?

Most of the 95 and older ones have one belt that is just for the a/c so if the compressor would lock up and the belt break you would just be without your a/c.

My 95 with the 3.0 has done the same thing, I am pretty sure the compressor is on its way out, I think I am going to replace it this year before the cooling season starts.

[cbwilsha]

Definitely sounds like the belt to me. Bad clutches don't "squeal" but bad belts do. You didn't say what year your vehicle was but you can easily verify whether there is a separate belt for the AC and it is very cheap to replace. If that turns out not to be the problem, you've got yourself a new belt at least.

C.B.

[lloyd329]

I have a '98 with a 3.0l. As for the belt, it was replaced well over a year ago during the time it was squeeling. The first one got chewed up. So, even when the current belt was new it still squeeled.

[theFREAKnasty82]

If it does it when you turn on the A/C, it's gotta be the clutch, it's starting to seize up; that's why your van chewed up the last belt. If it was doing it all the time, I'd say your automatic tensioner or even your alternator. But's it's only when you turn on your A/C, it's your compressor. By the way if you're coming to Florida, my neck of the woods, you WILL need A/C no questions asked. You can't survive a year w/o it since we may have 30 days a year of cold weather.

[lloyd329]

So, let's see if I understand what you are saying. Is it the clutch or the compressor? If it's the clutch can't that just be replaced instead of the entire compressor. I thought I seen where the clutch is seperate from the compressor. I'm looking for a "cheaper" fix without replacing the entire unit which is pretty expensive. I didn't speak with my mechanic about this yet either. Also, what will happen if it siezes up?
Also, what's the weather like down there around Cocoa Beach/Orlando during the first two weeks of July? The last time I was down there (1991) it was during the last weeks of June and beginning of July. It didn't seem hot to me.

[theFREAKnasty82]

It's the clutch. Only thing is, it's best to have it taken off the van to replace the clutch. The clutch doesn't cost a lot, it's the labor that goes into it that'll get you. If you want to try, though I doubt it'll work, get some WD-40 and spray it on the front of the clutch. Before you turn the van on, see if you can turn the clutch freely by hand, if it's tough to turn, the clutch is for sure bad and will need to be replaced.

As far as the weather in July, (ironically, I live in the Orlando area) it's HOT! Daytime highs are in the upper 90s w/ 100% humidity, it's misreable. That's why I said earlier A/C is needed. W/O it, you just want to die b/c it's unbearable.

[lloyd329]

I tried looking at my haynes book and couldn't figure this out. Is the belt that controls the A/C seperate from the main serpentine belt? On my type of engine (3.0) it looks like it is. What will happen if the clutch seizes up? Will it harm the compressor or anything else?

Also, I guess we will be trying to stay out of the heat during the hottest part of the day. My son has asthma. He plays here during the hottest time of the year and his pulmonalogist at Hershey Med said he wil be ok. I guess mid-afternoon will be good nap time (lol). The resort pool is opened until mid-night.

[theFREAKnasty82]

Yeah, on the 3.0, the A/C belt is seperate from the power steering and alternator belt. If that thing is seized up and next time you turn on your A/C, it'll shred that belt up. Check also while you're there, you belt tensioner, it's the adjustable pulley above the compressor; make sure that it's not seizing up as well.

[EVH5150]

On a 3.0 there is a separate belt that runs the A/C. My clutch froze up recently, so I disconnected the wiring to the clutch to prevent it from engaging while running defrost (here in cold Wisconsin). That is until I can get the compressor replaced.

[EVH5150]

Sorry Freaknasty, didn't see your last post before I replied.

[lloyd329]

I have a couple more questions. Hopefully the last until I get it fixed. If the clutch seizes up, will it completely ruin the compressor so that I would have to get the entire compressor replaced? Also, if the clutch seizes up and shred the belt, could it ruin anything else that runs off that belt? I don't know if there is anything else on that belt, that is why I ask.

Thanks again

[theFREAKnasty82]

there is a chance that if your clutch is seized, it can do internal damage to the pistons of the clutch. My recommendation, don't use you A/C until you get it fixed so that you won't have to buy any more belts and a new compressor.

[daverotten]

For the first question
My van was doing that a few weeks ago (1997 3.0 dodge grand caravan).
It turn out to be my belt tensioning pulley. If yours is the same, loosen
up the nut on the wheel pulley slightly (in the center of the wheel), turn the bolt on the back of the pulley (going horizontally). retighten.

For the second one
see other replies

good luck