Driving to work today, started hearing what sounded like my horn, thought maybe some wiring got messed up. My AC hasnt been working since I bought the car, so I turned the **** to the floor setting (guessing it was because I had it on the Upper/Lower setting), and the "horn sound" went away. Now everytime I turn the car on, it sounds off for a second, and when I turn on the Upper/Lower fan I get the same noise and vibration.

Anyone got any ideas?

Edit: Heater blows fine. It sounds like something is grinding when I turn on the AC, or defrost (well duh, ac is part of defrost. ) All other settings in cool through warm on the temp dial work fine if its in either upper or lower.

Edit2: it's not the horn. Im just saying, it sounds like a horn

Edit3: If the AC pump is under the alternator then I found out where the sound is coming from. Car has just turned 139k

 

Sounds like the ac compressor died, you can unplug the two wire connecter to disable the ac.

 

Yeah, the compressor is under the alt. Guess you got a problem with it. You can pull the compressor fuse so you can use those mode positions without engaging the compressor, if you want.

 

Thanks, I removed the relay. So whats next? How much is it to replace one? Should a mechanic do it, or is it possible to do it with hand tools?

Thanks.

 

As far as physically removing and replacing the compressor, you should be able to do that. Watch out for the refrigerant under pressure. Bleed it off with the shrader valves.
My opinion is that the evacuation and recharging of the system should be done by a professional so that you can be sure it is done right. You don't want to waste a new compressor because of ignorance.

 

werd