4 possible reasons why your AC is making weird noises

Your car AC should normally be running cool and silent, so if it’s making some unusually weird noises, it probably means it’s time to get it checked! There are so many pieces under the car’s bonnet that it can be intimidating trying to figure out exactly what’s wrong with it. That’s why we always say it’s best to leave it to the professionals, but it doesn’t hurt to do some research. That’s why we’ve put together some of the most common causes why your AC is making weird noises so that you can get to the bottom of it.

A rattling sound

If you hear a rattling or shaking sound coming from your car AC, it might mean that some of the screws inside are loose. To diagnose this problem, open up the hood, start the engine, and crank the AC. Have a close look and then try to see which components are shaking, and then tighten those up to put a stop to it.

A loud screeching sound

When your car AC is in operation, it might make a loud screeching noise. This is most likely an issue with your serpentine belt. The serpentine belt is a long, winding rubber band of sorts that is attached to your crank pulley. Starting from there, it makes its way around your engine block, delivering power to your alternator, power steering pump, and of course, you air conditioning compressor. If you hear this type of noise, it’s a good indicator of a worn belt needing attention

A buzzing noise

If you hear a buzzing sound coming from your car AC, you’re probably not alone. What you’re most likely hearing is the sound of the compressor struggling to move the gas around to the condenser. This usually happens if you’ve recently had your aircon gas topped up and they’ve accidentally put too much Freon in the compressor. If you hear this noise take it back to the mechanic, and he’ll safely remove some. This isn’t a job you can do yourself as the refrigerant gas is poisonous and needs to be disposed of safely. It can also be a sign that your compressor is starting to fail, in which case you will need to have it replaced.

A hissing sound

If you’ve ever noticed a hissing sound coming from your car AC, it’s usually nothing to worry about too much, especially if it happens after you turn off the car. This is usually explained by high and low-pressure areas in the system equalizing. When refrigerant flows through a metering component, it makes a whistling or hissing sound.

How to prevent your AC from making weird noises

One of the best ways to keep your car AC in top-notch condition is by getting it serviced regularly. This is definitely something that plays a part in keeping your car AC from making weird noises. If you haven’t had your AC checked for a while, it is best to get a professional to have a look at it for you every 6 months. Additionally, try to use your AC regularly as most problems occur because the system hasn’t been used in two or more weeks!