First off, my A/C works perfectly. When it runs there is no noise whatsoever. When I bought the car 3 years ago, I had the A/C system completely gone through, it didn't need freeon then nor has it needed anything in the last 3 years, I have it checked every spring.

Now, when my car is idling, every 5-10 seconds the A/C compressor makes a little noise that sounds like a little racoon under the hood. You can barely hear it with the hood closed but it bugs the hell out of me. It only happens when the A/C is NOT on. It's been doing this for almost a year. I don't really have the money to have it checked this year but if it's a problem that needs to be checked out so it doesn't cause any damage, I want to go in knowing what it is so I don't get screwed.

Any ideas what the heck it is?

 

Sounds like the clutch idler bearing may be failing. You can replace the clutch without removing the compressor or evacuating the system on most Harrison/Frigidaire compressors.

 

Awesome, that's great news if that's all it is!

Thanks! I'll have it fixed right away.

 

Well an A/C shop wanted $120 so I bought the bearing for $26 and I'm going to install it myself...