AC CLUTCH GOING OUT ON GEN 2? HELP ANYONE?

Hey guys so I have an 07 DCLB 4x4 with 104k miles. So recently I have been hearing this god awful noise coming from the compressor area it sounds like. It sounds like a really bad scratching or ticking sound whenever the compressor engages. The noise goes away gradually after I turn the AC off. I had a friend from work look at it and he says my AC clutch is going out so I'm just wondering if anyone else has ever had this problem? What did it turn out to be? I would like to know whats going on somewhat before I go get raped at the repair shop. Any help is appreciated! Ride safe, love life, and catch you guys on the flip side.

 

Sounds like the compressor bearing. Replace the whole compressor not just the clutch. This is something you can do yourself if you have any mechanical ability and some tools.
You can rent a vacuum pump and replace the Freon yourself and save several hundred dollars. Pull the vacuum for at least 30 minutes in high humidity areas and longer if the system is left open for a long period of time.

 

I assume you have checked this but just in case - I agree it's probably the bearing or slipping clutch - but did you change the belt just in case the belt is making noise under the increased load from the compressor? (i.e. old belt, tensioner arm spring is failing, etc...)

Is the AC otherwise working OK ??

 

I had a noise with A/C turned on and it ended up being the alternator.

 

Good Point. IT also could be any on the bearings in the engine front, Idler arm, Alt, WP ???

 

The AC clutch blew up on my truck not too long ago. I priced up a clutch and compressor from Toyota.. It was almost 400 bucks for the compressor, which I didn't think was bad until I realized the clutch doesn't come with it. Another 560 bucks..

I live in Canada, so I don't know how different our prices will be.. But just a heads up! the clutch doesn't always come with the compressor (I assumed they did..)

 

The AC is working fine, blows cold anyways and the belt seems good but may need to double check that this evening.

 

Weird stuff happens.

My last truck had some issue I could never track down - every 3-4 month, the belt would start squealing for no apparent reason. I'd drive another month while it got worse and then I'd replace it. Problem solved for another 3-4 months.

I'm looking around and only find the OEM clutch available by itself - and that price is over $478, where the OEM compressor is listed as a separate $225. Rock auto sells the whole OEM assembly w clutch for $443. There are several other cheaper options at Rockauto too. Don't get hammered by the dealer or someone quoting extreme OEM prices.

 

http://www.automotix.net/usedautoparts/2007-toyota-tacoma-ac_compressor-product-g93395451i.html?gclid=CJeiofWE2sACFWoR7AoddGQASQ

Used - multiple compressors on this site ... $159

 

Could it possibly be the alternator? My voltage while running is kinda low, like 13.1 volts. That seems a bit low to me it should be 13.6 or higher I believe. I have an appointment at the repair shop on Monday(hope it makes due til then!) I would attempt this myself but I am no mechanic and really do not have the time to fiddle with it so yes I will probably shell out my hard earned dollars. hopefully it's the cheapest option lol

Here's a video I took earlier, towards the end you can make out the noise better.

http://youtu.be/NNUnG_IGv8g?list=UU2KtDonsRZsSvC8odbm2Kvw


Here's one with the AC off and no noise.

http://youtu.be/xgmV5zeR5pM?list=UU2KtDonsRZsSvC8odbm2Kvw

 

That's a different noise than what I had with my alternator...mine was a groan caused by a vibration within the alternator when the added load of the A/C was turned on. Are you able to be at the shop when they make the diagnosis?

 

Forgot to post what I found out from the mystery noise! It ended up being the tensioner pulley behind the AC Compressor causing vibrations and noise coming from the compressor. I definitely did not want to take on this task so I took it to the stealership and about $900 bones later....OUCH!!!! F*%K ME!!!! Crazy story to go with this though, originally they diagnosed the compressor as going out so they ended up replacing the compressor first and the noise still continued... but once they fixed the pulley they gave me the difference in costs between the two and I got a new free ac compressor out of the deal! WOOT!