What Causes Abnormal Noise When Turning on the AC in a New Car?
4 Answers
Possible reasons for abnormal noise when turning on the AC in a new car: Damaged car AC compressor: There are many reasons for car AC compressor failure, including lack of lubrication, worn rotating shafts, inability to compress air properly, or air leakage. When the AC compressor has issues, the car's AC system may produce abnormal noises or fail to cool. In such cases, it is necessary to visit a repair shop or 4S store for professional inspection. Blocked AC vents: This issue can be resolved by promptly cleaning the AC vents. It is important to note that the car's AC filter should also be cleaned and replaced regularly. Generally, it should be cleaned every 5,000 kilometers. Worn fan blades: If the fan blades are worn, the fan bearings lack lubrication, or the fan blades are stuck by foreign objects, the car's AC may produce a rattling noise. In this case, the fan blades need to be removed for a detailed inspection. Engine abnormal noise: In this situation, a detailed inspection of the engine is required to identify the cause before proceeding with repairs.
I just bought a new car and there's a noise when I turn on the AC, to be honest it's quite annoying. New cars usually shouldn't behave like this, I suspect it might be due to a few reasons: first, there might be an issue with the AC compressor bearing, causing friction noise during operation; second, there could be leaves or small stones stuck on the fan blades, creating a buzzing sound when blowing; third, the belt might not have been adjusted properly during installation, being too loose or tight causing a squeaking sound; sometimes if there's air trapped in the refrigerant lines not fully purged, it can also cause a gurgling sound when flowing. New cars come with a warranty, so don't try to fix it yourself, it's more reliable to take it to the 4S shop for a check. After all, safety comes first, and if the compressor is really broken, driving in summer would be miserable.
I'm someone who's quite particular about car noises, and any sound from a new car's air conditioning is definitely unusual. Common causes include foreign objects entering the blower, such as leftover plastic pieces from assembly or small insect remains; another possibility is insufficient lubrication in the pulley bearing, resulting in dry friction sounds. While refrigerant flowing through pipes normally produces slight sounds, whistling or metal grinding noises are concerning. It's advisable to identify the sound's origin—whether it's coming from the dashboard or the engine compartment—as this helps technicians diagnose the issue faster. Don't ignore it with a new car; even during the warranty period, address it promptly to avoid more expensive component damage.
I've also encountered strange noises from new car air conditioners, and analysis shows the three most common issues are: first, improper installation of the fan motor causing blades to scrape against the housing; second, loose compressor mounting bolts leading to resonance; third, condenser pipes rubbing against the frame. If you hear a clicking sound when turning on the AC, it might be due to poor engagement of the electromagnetic clutch. Remember not to disassemble the pipes yourself as refrigerant leakage is dangerous. Nowadays, car air conditioning technology is mature, and such problems in new cars are mostly due to oversights in the production process. It's safer to directly go to a 4S shop for adjustment and repair.
