Zambee500
Veteran Member
So my AC is squealing when the compressor is engaged. I thought it was the alternator pulley going bad, based on this thread, so I went ahead and had the alternator pulley replaced when I had the 20k mile service done last week. Just got the car back yesterday, and after having the alt pulley replaced the squeal didn’t go away. The squealing has been intermittent starting maybe 2 months ago, but it seems to be getting worse. The squealing goes away immediately and completely when the AC compressor is turned off even with the AC fan still blowing air in the cabin. When the AC engages, sometimes there is a really loud shrieking squeal (loud enough that it is a parking lot head-turner) that can last for 10-20 seconds, and sometimes it is much quieter and can only hear it with windows down or when standing outside next to the car. Also, sometimes it will go away completely while the AC is engaged, but at other times it continues at the low volume the whole time until the compressor cycles off.
I should also add that starting a couple months ago that the AC compressor sometimes wouldn’t come on after starting the car. It would take 5-15 minutes before it would come on. Before I was aware of the squealing sound, and/or when I thought it was the alternator pulley and unrelated, I was thinking the 384 relay was going bad with the cold solder joint. It could still be a bad 384 relay as a side-issue, but not sure now if it might be related to the squealing problem. Like if the AC clutch isn't wanting to engage or something.
When the AC is running, it blows ice cold air.
So before I take the car back to the shop to be told the compressor must be replaced, I thought I’d first check in with the B5.5 experts here. Does this sound like something obvious that can be repaired without having to replace the whole compressor? Such as compressor clutch? Something else? Anything easy I can do to trouble-shoot and diagnose? Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Thanks. I appreciate all the contributions from the experts here.
I should also add that starting a couple months ago that the AC compressor sometimes wouldn’t come on after starting the car. It would take 5-15 minutes before it would come on. Before I was aware of the squealing sound, and/or when I thought it was the alternator pulley and unrelated, I was thinking the 384 relay was going bad with the cold solder joint. It could still be a bad 384 relay as a side-issue, but not sure now if it might be related to the squealing problem. Like if the AC clutch isn't wanting to engage or something.
When the AC is running, it blows ice cold air.
So before I take the car back to the shop to be told the compressor must be replaced, I thought I’d first check in with the B5.5 experts here. Does this sound like something obvious that can be repaired without having to replace the whole compressor? Such as compressor clutch? Something else? Anything easy I can do to trouble-shoot and diagnose? Any suggestions would be welcomed.
Thanks. I appreciate all the contributions from the experts here.