I have been having a sort of rattling sound from the engine compartment and last night I tracked it down. The AC compressor turns intemittently when the engine is running but the AC is OFF hense causing the metallic rattling sound. If I turn the A/C ON then the noise stops. Does anyone know if this is a bad clutch and can be replaced or does the whole compressor need to be swapped? Can the fix be done with the compressor on the car or do I need to take it out if I can just do the clutch?
What kind of sound is it? I've been hearing this VERY loud buzzing/vibrating sound. Think of like a vibrating cell phone the size of a watermelon. Is that what you're experiencing? I think I've had it AC on and off, but it's usually after I rev the engine.
It's more of a ringing sound or rattle. It is coming from the compresser, I've figured that much out, but I'm wondering if the clutch is bad and if it can be replaced or if I have to do the whole compresser?