My 2014 Z51 had a whinny noise coming from the air compressor from new on. At 700 miles the dealership replaced the compressor and the noise was substantially reduced and was not all that noticeable. Now with 2700 miles on the car the whinny noise is starting to get louder but not quite as loud yet as it was when GM replaced it. Does anyone else have this problem? I haven't taken it back to the dealer for their opinion yet.
Noisy air compressor
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eagle45,
I realize how displeasing it can be when faced with a recurring A/C concern like this, and though you're seeking thoughts and opinions, I would be happy to communicate this situation with the designated Customer Experience Manager at your preferred dealer if you feel an official diagnosis is necessary. Feel free to message us privately if you'd like to proceed, or discuss this situation further.
William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care
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286 Posts
I hear a howling/whistle noise when I turn on the AC. Sometimes low in volume and other times so loud and annoying that I turn the AC off. Service tech said it is the belt tensioner. A new one is on order and hopefully will be installed next week. I will comment if it fixes the problem.
After thinking about your possible diagnosis,the tensioner could be the problem if the compressor is the only unit the respective belt and tensioner drive. I say this because as soon as I turn the air conditioner off the noise immediately stops. Thanks for your help.
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The ac unit runs year round not just when it warms up.
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Ok... Let me be more specific... The ONLY time the noise occurs is when the engine is at operating temperature and compressor is engaged by with AC or DEFROST modes selected to ON.
I watched my engine temp this morning and when it reached just below 200deg I could hear an additional fan turn on. This fan became progressively louder and thats when at slow speeds the whining noise was noticeable in the cabin (and outside). Turn the AC compressor off and that fan sound and whining noise go away.
It definitely sounds like the extra and excessive fan noise is coming from the driver side radiator housing but I don't see what could be the source.
I am going to take to dealer for an actual troubleshooting / analysis but I see this post describing what seems like my sound and was wondering if anyone was succesful in getting the noise resolved and if so, what was the fix.
I watched my engine temp this morning and when it reached just below 200deg I could hear an additional fan turn on. This fan became progressively louder and thats when at slow speeds the whining noise was noticeable in the cabin (and outside). Turn the AC compressor off and that fan sound and whining noise go away.
It definitely sounds like the extra and excessive fan noise is coming from the driver side radiator housing but I don't see what could be the source.
I am going to take to dealer for an actual troubleshooting / analysis but I see this post describing what seems like my sound and was wondering if anyone was succesful in getting the noise resolved and if so, what was the fix.
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bj; This will be a "maybe" sort of answer. If the root cause of your noise is caused by the belt tensioner then yes a new tensioner will fix it. If however the problem is a component driven by the belt, then no it will not be the fix. What we have seen with the tensioner failure is in some cases there is hyd. fluid on the engine or pooled underneath the front of the car. In some cases there is a ticking noise that is louder than the fuel injectors and in other cases there was no reported noise, but wet oily spots reported. If you take a length of hose and carefully place one end to your ear and the other to the compressor, belt tensioner, and other belt driven components while the car is running you might be able to isolate the noise location. If you go this route watch where you stick that hose end! Here is a link to the TSB on the belt tensioner: http://www.stingrayforums.com/forum/stingray-corvette-tsb-recalls/3463-failed-failing-serpentine-belt-tensioner-pip-5185-updated-pip5185a.html
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Chip... Thanks for the input. I'm familiar with the tensioner issues and mine does not display any of the familiar signs which makes me skeptical it's the cause. I was really curious if anyone who had posted previously in the thread had their issue resolved and if so what was the fix. I have been pm'ing with another member who has described a similar noise, has been thru tensioner replacement, and still has had no success getting rid of the noise many months later.
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108 Posts
Had mine in the dealer this morning. They inspected pulleys and the tensioner and said all looked perfectly fine. So the shop foreman and I went for a drive together.... When I heard the noise and pointed it he said sounds like normal noises for this cars fan and/or gear whine at low speeds.
I had something new this morning too... Driving to work I was stopped at a stop light (AC was on) and when I pulled away I heard 3 very loud chirps. I told the shop foreman about it... It has never done that before (just over 4000 miles) and did not do it again (yet). So.. dealer's advise is keep driving it till it breaks because everything looks fine.
I had something new this morning too... Driving to work I was stopped at a stop light (AC was on) and when I pulled away I heard 3 very loud chirps. I told the shop foreman about it... It has never done that before (just over 4000 miles) and did not do it again (yet). So.. dealer's advise is keep driving it till it breaks because everything looks fine.
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I have the same issue. Noise only happens when the AC is on. Took it to the dealer and they "de-charged" and re charged. They said sometimes the system can come from the manufacture over charged which could create the noise. They said mine was not the case and said nothing is wrong with it. They said they would file a case with Chevrolet (whatever that means). Not really sure what to do now? It gets obnoxiously loud while driving and it is bearable while sitting in idle.
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I have heard no chirp, but yes the noise increases with RPM. If I shut the ac off it goes away instantly. (shut the AC off, but leave the fan on) At first I thought it was the fan, but it is not. Definitely the compressor. Again my dealer told me they filed something with Chevrolet. I really was not sure how to respond. This is my first Chevrolet ever and not sure we are off to a good start...
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286 Posts
I have this noise also and have recorded it on my iPhone. No solution after first reporting it 1 year ago -- annoying! My 2 cents --- can a fundamental frequency be excited in the belt under extra tension when the AC compressor is turned on causing the belt to hum like a stringed instrument?
As reported earlier I have had my compressor replaced at 700 miles which initially seemed to be the answer. After 2700 miles the noise was back and nearly as bad as it was when I first got the car. The dealership then replaced the tensioner but no change in the noise level. The dealership gave up on the problem and basically told me to live with it. I have had the car for over a year now and still waiting for someone to come up with a solution to the problem. I personally believe it is the compressor, but since it isn't a safety issue no one at GM is getting excited about it.
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