so we never did find the source of that AC compressor clutch grind noise?

I live in South Florida and our normal driving mode is with the A/C never, ever turned off. This is the land of swimming stnading up in the summer and you want that A/C cranking on HIGH just as fast as you can.

I have heard the clutch engagement noise in my '09 a few times for only a few seconds each time. I don't want to ever hear it again.

New operating mode for my Taco is A/C off before turning engine off and turning A/C back on after engine is running. A little sweat will be well worth not hearing that grinding sound.

 

See this thread for further info:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...ir-conditioner-compressor-grind-start-up.html

 

I think this has some merit... I've heard a 1-2 second grinding noise 5 times in my truck and each time I noticed either the A/C was left on after it was shut off the day before or my wife drove it last (and I don't know what she did). I've been turning mine off before turning the truck off ever since, 3 1/2 months ago through a moderately hot summer here in NC, and it hasn't happened since.

 

Mine does it every now and then, my '06 ranger did it too. I believe its a slight rust formation between the hub and clutch face that forms when it hasn't ran overnight. Kinda like the light rust you get on the rotors after they sit for a few days, but clear up with use. It also shouldn't matter if you leave the a/c on or off when you turn the truck off, its basically a electromagnet that has no power going to it when the key is off.

 

my 2010 does it too, if you have the truck sit overnight. AC on or off, it grinds for a few seconds and you feel the vibration go thru the truck. im not thrilled with my 2010s AC. its cool at best, takes 20 minutes to get the access cab cold and im talking 70-75 on a 95 degree day. have a few issues like my TOB noise and clutch slipped bad on a hill. anyway, the noise only happens in the hot weather so im stuck till summer. will complain about the cool ac though, maybe one has to do with the other.

 

This is literally what I get, it's like a diesel motor turning on and off as the car idles, generally goes away fully at higher speeds, especially on the HWY. But when it sits on lights, etc, it turns on and off every few moments... roughly about 15 second intervals. The AC never stops blowing cold when the sound goes away. Have you every figured out what it was, and what the eventual fix was? I really want it to be quieter damn it!