rattling sound with the air conditioner

2006 DODGE CARAVAN
151,000 MILES • 3.8L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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SHAWN HARRIS
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  • 4 POSTS
When I turn my air conditioner on I hear a loud rattling sound. Thought maybe air conditioner clutch going out, but it does it when my fan turns on to cool down engine. And the air conditioner is off. Confused!
Jul 30, 2016 at 1:54 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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  • 6,106 POSTS
Where does the rattle sound come from? Inside the car or under the hood? From your description it sounds to me like the bearings on your cooling fan are going out.
Jul 30, 2016 at 1:59 AM
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SHAWN HARRIS
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  • 4 POSTS
Under the hood and forgot to mention that my battery light comes on and off randomly.
Jul 30, 2016 at 3:59 AM
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SATURNTECH9
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 30,869 POSTS
Sounds like a couple issues with the engine cold spin the radiator fan by hand as fast as you can if you hear the noise replace the fan. Also check both fans I believe there is a radiator and air conditioner condenser fan on that van.
Jul 30, 2016 at 5:16 AM
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SHAWN HARRIS
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Will check those fans. Was hoping it was not my tensioner pulleys or my air conditioner clutch.
Jul 30, 2016 at 5:32 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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You mentioned it made the noise with the fans on so I was suspecting a fan going out. The fans would be more then the belt tensioner for the part.
Jul 30, 2016 at 7:10 AM
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SHAWN HARRIS
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I tried to spin the fan and it made the noise almost could not move it. Seems locked up.
Jul 30, 2016 at 10:09 AM
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SATURNTECH9
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 30,869 POSTS
Sounds like you found the problem, the fan motor has failed.
Jul 30, 2016 at 10:28 AM
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