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02 Tahoe AC Compressor Squeel

Snap50

By Snap50
in Ask A GM Technician

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Snap50 Enthusiast

Snap50

Posted
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When the air conditioner or defroster is engaged in my 2001 (not 2002) Tahoe there is a high pitch squeeling noise. It immediately stops when I go to heat or push the AC button off.

 

The dealer wants to replace the compressor, but here it is 35 degrees out and I can wait as it's quite a bit of money. I am do not remember the problem showing itself with the defroster before it went in for the diagnosis but I am not sure what they did to make it worse. Any ideas?

 

Is there a way to disable the AC clutch so I can use the defroster without agrevating the compressor's condition?

 

From above I can't even see the compressor.

 

I tied pulling the 2 fuses but they disable all control of the HVAC system, not just the AS clutch.

bobcat5544 Enthusiast

bobcat5544

Posted
Posted

To disable the compressor you will need to unplug it at the compressor. The compressor is located on the passenger side of the engine at the bottom.

pm26 Senior Enthusiast

pm26

Posted
Posted

Pulling the A/C relay should prevent the A/C compressor clutch from engaging. If you physically disconnect the lutch wire at the compressor, make sure you tie it securely out of the way so it does not get sucket into the rotating pulley.

 

Are you sure the compressor noise is not from a bad belt? The clutch pulley bearing may be going out too.

Snap50 Enthusiast

Snap50

Posted
  • Author
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Are you sure the compressor noise is not from a bad belt?  The clutch pulley bearing may be going out too.

 

 

 

 

 

It only makes noise when (and always) when the ac or defroster are turned on.

When off, the system freewheels without sounds.

Now that I pulled the plug, the noise is absent.

 

I am not positive myself that it's the compressor but it sounds reasonable to me

The dealer suggests replacing compressor, tension pulley and belt.

The sound is like a seizing bearing; high pitch squeel.

GM-Tech Senior Enthusiast

GM-Tech

Posted
Posted
The dealer suggests replacing compressor, tension pulley and belt.

 

Sounds like they're covering their butt. Sure, it may be both the tensioner and the compressor, but I'd go with the tensioner pulley first and possibly save yourself many hundreds of dollars. They might be able to detect the source of the noise with a stethoscope (or long screwdriver) but sometimes it's hard to isolate these noises since they can travel.

 

Although the tensioner turns all the time, even with the a/c compressor off, there's an extra load applied when the compressor is on, so it could be just that. Same goes with the compressor pulley (the part the belt rides on). There's a bearing in there that could make the noise only when the compressor is on.

 

I'm not 100% sure the comp. pulley bearing is available separately on that one, but it may be. Again, cheaper than a complete compressor.

Snap50 Enthusiast

Snap50

Posted
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Sounds like they're covering their butt.  Sure, it may be both the tensioner and the compressor, but I'd go with the tensioner pulley first and possibly save yourself many hundreds of dollars.  They might be able to detect the source of the noise with a stethoscope (or long screwdriver) but sometimes it's hard to isolate these noises since they can travel.

 

Although the tensioner turns all the time, even with the a/c compressor off, there's an extra load applied when the compressor is on, so it could be just that.  Same goes with the compressor pulley (the part the belt rides on).  There's a bearing in there that could make the noise only when the compressor is on.

 

 

 

 

 

I'll get back in there and see if the tensioner shows any looseness.

 

Maybe a second physical opinion would be of value.

I have reservations about the tech that checked it because he did the front ABS sensor recall cleaning and the abs had the same low speed cycling problem as I drove out of their driveway. I had cleaned the sensors a couple years ago myself and it worked fine. He did it and it wasn't.

N Heat Enthusiast

N Heat

Posted
Posted

FYI, on my 02 Suburban, I had a similiar problem. It would only squeel on occasion, but it was pretty nasty. I changed the belt, and after about 2 weeks, the belt broke. I guess with the older belt, when the pulley would try to lock up, the belt didn't have enough bite to break. Luckily it was under extended warranty and they replaced the compressor. It cost me about $150 bucks, but the total ticket was just over 1 grand.

pm26 Senior Enthusiast

pm26

Posted
Posted
FYI, on my 02 Suburban, I had a similiar problem.  It would only squeel on occasion, but it was pretty nasty.  I changed the belt, and after about 2 weeks, the belt broke. I guess with the older belt, when the pulley would try to lock up, the belt didn't have enough bite to break.  Luckily it was under extended warranty and they replaced the compressor.  It cost me about $150 bucks, but the total ticket was just over 1 grand.

 

 

 

 

when you replace an A/C compressor, you must also replace the receiver-dryer or the accumulator, which ever system your vehicle has. There is either a receiver-dryer/ expansion valve system, or an accumulator/orifice tube type A/C system.

Snap50 Enthusiast

Snap50

Posted
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when you replace an A/C compressor, you must also replace the receiver-dryer or the accumulator, which ever system your vehicle has.  There is either a receiver-dryer/ expansion valve system, or an accumulator/orifice tube type A/C system.

 

 

 

 

I thought something along those lines, but my dealer didn't mention that in the price. I have less and less confidence in them now.

It's freezing out right now so it's fading in my mind.

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