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2004 Chrysler Town and Country Engaging air condition cause

Tiny
TOMPANTIER
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
WHen I engage the air conditioner there is a lot of noise, like pulley noise, under the hood. As I increase speed the noise goes away. When I am at a stop, the noise is back but when I put the vehicle in neutral, the noise goes away. It seems like I put it in drive, the added strain is resulting in the noise.

I replaced the water pump about 9 months ago and the belt and belt tensioner about 4 monhts. It did look like someone used a belt dressing on the serpertnie belt when I replaced it.

The a/c unit appears to working ok - blows cool.
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Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 AT 2:28 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Is it a squealing noise or squeak when you hear it?
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Monday, June 21st, 2010 AT 12:46 AM
Tiny
TOMPANTIER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It is neither actually, it is more of a rumble. Almost sounds like a pulley is loose but I can't find it. The Ider pulley seems solid. The tensioner was new about 6 months and I double checked it to see if it was still tight. I put a new water pump on about 1 year ago and it seems tight.

When I have the air conditioner on and I have the vehicle in park or neutral, it does not make the noise. When I put it in drive with my foot on the brake, it makes the noise. It gets so noisy at times, I have to put it in neutral or shut the air conditioner off when at a drive up window. THe noise goes away when the RPM's increase.
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+1
Monday, June 21st, 2010 AT 8:24 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
THe only thing I can think of is the compressor itself has a bad bearing in it and is making noise at a certain RPM.
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 AT 12:08 AM
Tiny
AWELLINGER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have this exact problem on my 2000 T&C w 3.8L I am under the impression that the problem is either a fractured flexwheel(flywheel) or the lower engine berring. I have been told that the odds are its the flexwheel.
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 6:48 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Is your noise from the front or rear of the engine?
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 8:31 PM
Tiny
AWELLINGER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It seems to be coming from the center/back end of the engine. I already tried replacing the A/C compressor and the mechanic said that the compressor was not the problem. Noise is loudest when idling with A/C on. Turn A/C off or step on gas and noise fades away. I thought it was A/C as well but now I think it is probably the flexwheel. Problem is I won't know for sure until they drop the tranny. If it is an engine berring instead, then I will need another engine.

I wish I could be sure of the cause so I can make an effective decision as to what to do.
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 8:38 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Lets eliminate anything run by the accessory belt like the AC, water pump. Remove the serp belt and see if the sound is still there. NOTE: Only run the engine a few seconds or it will overheat. Just long enough to determine if the sound is still there or gone. Just so you know, a bearing will make a knocking sound. The flex plate will make more of a chatter. (It's hard to describe over the internet).

Try that and let me know what you find.

Joe
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Thursday, July 8th, 2010 AT 9:21 PM
Tiny
GGOODMAN2120
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My dad has a van with the exact same problem. He has replaced the alt, idler pully, tensionor, and A/C compressor. Still have the noise. He has taken the belts off like Jacobandnickolas stated and still have the noise. Any advice will help.
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Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 AT 9:23 PM
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Use a piece of hose to help pinpoint the location of the sound. The hose needs to be about 3 or 4 feet long. One end goes in your ear, the other end slowly move around the engine to locate the source of the sound.
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Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 AT 6:58 AM

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