A/C Compressor Noise?

[TourX]

I'm guessing here, but it was a flippant comment like "if it annoys you that much just trade it in for another car"? Or, we'll get you a new car and do whatever to make this right? I'm guessing the former? Owned three Lexus vehicles over 20 years, and had some issues with the last car and walked away from the brand when they failed to fix an out of warranty problem for a third time without me paying for the same repair for the third time. Mechanics now just replace whole systems, they can't diagnose what's causing the problem evidently, in my case it was an electronic power steering issue and their only solution was to replace the entire rack three times...

 

[768mph]

UPDATE:

Buick CSR called me back and I’ll leave it simple and short.
“Buick has no fix and maybe they’ll come out with a recall with a solution.”

Case closed on my part.

Spoke with my father and he suggest installing a dielectric junction in line with the AC line. That will absorb the noise and cure the issue. Way more invasive but could be a possibility.

 

[TourX]

I've noticed it is only really annoying to me when the AC is on and the fan speed is low ( I keep mine on auto) and doesn't drown out the AC line noise, I'm just going to live with it rather than have them tear up my car, it never goes back exactly like new. I am going to have the re-flash/software update on my nav head unit to solve various problems with pre-sets greying out and backup lines disappearing on reverse camera, and nav system periodically not working. Fingers crossed the refresh solves those issues, along with my window regulator replacement I'm just going to do normal maintenance going forward with 1 1/2 year left on my warranty. Good luck to you.

 

[94cruiser]

No fix (but a recall with a) solution.

Which way is it then?

 

[RSE]

I had the compressor replaced, and the noise is less, but is still present. I can't find it now, but there was an article (TSB?) on the Cadillac ATS with the LTG motor, and compressor noise. It was the way the compressor was mounted to the block, that transmitted the vibration.

 

[TourX]

The rattle may be the skid plate was not screwed on right after an oil change. Happened to me.

Greyed out radio presets - sounds like you need the infotainment updated. I had this exact annoying issue for months upon months. It was fixed with 22.9 update, now they are on 22.11 fyi. Only the dealer can perform this, note it is free so don't let them try to charge you for it. If they try, I'd leave immediately and find a different dealer as you're not dealing with an honest one. Dealer replaced my antenna and HU [before 22.9 came out] trying to fix the presets issue...I told them it wouldn't work and it didn't. If you already have the 22.9 update, ignore all the above...and in that case I'd say yeah you need your HU and/or antenna replaced.

Had the software update a couple days ago, so far so good on radio pre-sets, back up camera lines and Nav. Thanks again. My XM radio stopped working a year ago and they fixed it by replacing my antenna, they didn't replace the head unit. I wonder if the software update back then might have been enough to fix those problems for us? Well anyway, fingers crossed everything continues to work as intended.

 

[TourX]

I had the compressor replaced, and the noise is less, but is still present. I can't find it now, but there was an article (TSB?) on the Cadillac ATS with the LTG motor, and compressor noise. It was the way the compressor was mounted to the block, that transmitted the vibration.

Glad it reduced the noise for you, I think I'm just going to let mine be, it's only really annoying in certain situations, like when the auto temperature setting is very close to the outdoor temperature. Thanks for the info on the ATS.

 

[CNYmetalGuy]

I thought this might be the noise I am hearing in 18 Sportback Pref 2. But my noise is different from the video. Mine usually happens when my car is stopped, and its a higher pitched screeching like sound. I thought it had something to do with bluetooth but no, If I can capture it with my phone I will. Just very sporadic

 

[abizzle]

I noticed some noise yesterday when I backed into the carport. I’m pretty sure it’s the same noise captured in the videos, but I’ll make sure sometime today when I leave home.

I was getting anxious because I thought my warranty was about to expire, but now I realize they go by the original in-service date. In that case I still have another 6 months.

 

[96americanluxury]

I still contemplate having the a/c condenser and evaporator replaced as they are the only components left that have not been replaced.

However, especially with the evaporator, I'm concerned it will cause more noises (dash rattles, etc) than it will solve.

My dealer has a 2021 GMC Canyon in right now that has a similar whine noise. T.A.C. has advised they have found debris/burrs causing restrictions in the heater core causing noise as well as water pumps. Although neither is directly related to the A/C system, perhaps it is a resonance thing? Waiting to see if they are able to fix the Canyon based on T.A.C.'s answer.

 

[TourX]

I still contemplate having the a/c condenser and evaporator replaced as they are the only components left that have not been replaced.

However, especially with the evaporator, I'm concerned it will cause more noises (dash rattles, etc) than it will solve.

My dealer has a 2021 GMC Canyon in right now that has a similar whine noise. T.A.C. has advised they have found debris/burrs causing restrictions in the heater core causing noise as well as water pumps. Although neither is directly related to the A/C system, perhaps it is a resonance thing? Waiting to see if they are able to fix the Canyon based on T.A.C.'s answer.

Keep us posted, thanks.

 

[94cruiser]

any update?

 

[SportbackLegacy]

I drive a 2018 Sportback Preferred with 175k and I always thought the noise came from the radiator fans or the mounts. Or maybe something isn’t getting the proper voltage to maintain the system. I’m not a mechanic, but I feel like it’s a moving part that’s causing that noise. It sounds almost like the blower motor has a piece stuck until you turn the A/C off.

 

[G-934835]

Has anyone else noticed an electronic humming/whirring type noise on their cars, especially when stopped or at low RPMs (more noticeable at low speeds due to wind and road noise not drowning it out) with the HVAC set to Auto or with A/C on?

The noise is definitely compressor related as it will disappear when I turn the HVAC off, and won't return with just the fan on. It will only return when I purposely turn on the A/C or put the system to "Auto", i.e. the compressor kicks on.

I sort of noticed this noise since new, but didn't think much of it. Now I think the noise is getting louder. Certainly annoying, really buzzes in my ears while stopped.

I plan to test drive another Regal or Malibu with the 2.0t to compare as well as have my dealership check it out. Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience.

Yes

 

[ZB Commodore Owner]

I think the noise is the refrigerant boiling off in the heat exchanger.

I think it's a "design feature".

My wife's VE 3.6 Commodore S has a noise which is similar but different and IMO has the same root cause.

 

[Rich B.]

Of coarse with A/C current expanding and contracting magnetic fields is the cause of “hum”… it’s normal with solenoid coils and fish paper (high temp sound insulation sheets) applied between metal contacting parts as/if needed to quiet things. But auto a/c compressors run on D/C voltage! This still doesn’t quite add up to complete square-wave perfectly applied direct current. An A/C overtone exists with alternator DC supply systems half wave rectification.

Suppression of one form or another will eliminate whine from alternator A/C current and high voltage static to spark plugs, usually capacitors are in-place somewheres or resistor networks. The humming is electro-mechanical in this case however. Even tapping lightly with wood or ball peen hammer will many times reseat things and quiet down until next time lol.

Not attempting to rule out any or all explanations of this phenomenon, especially with vibrations under load. Have seen this with solenoids, clutches though, just sayin’… so this whole thing started out as a whine and ended up vibrations and buzzing. 🤔😵‍💫

 

[bursuk2007]

Hello from Europe! I have a 2018 Opel Insignia B, which is basically a rebadged Regal Sportback, and I'm experiencing the same sound as the users 96americanluxury and 768mph.

This drove me crazy for about six months—I’ve only had the car for nine months, lol! I’m really glad I found this thread because I was almost about to buy a new compressor. The only mechanic in my hometown (whom I respect a lot) was the one who suspected the lines might be causing the noise.

Anyway, maybe someone else has had a breakthrough or an update, and we’ll be surprised, haha!


Edit: I've added a yt video also!

 

[94cruiser]

my take on this subject is as follows:
If the refrigerant level is at proper level, the system is quiet.
As the amount/volume of it decreases, it starts to growl/groan.

I've had 2 AC compressors replaced, the line replaced, line reinstalled and it had a bad band in it. Last year complained about weak AC performance.
Dealer charged the system and said no leaks found. Later found it to be working not as great.
This summer back to no cold air at all. Was told the line was defective and was repaired this time (line no longer made).

For the first day when I got the car back, it was dead silent.

It was so bad for me that at times I would not use AC because of the annoying growl sound.
The system cools well now. I shall see how it will be next summer.

 

[bursuk2007]

I went to an AC specialist last weekend and he showed me that the refrigerant level is correct, so unfortunately, my mechanic friend was right from the beginning, the sound seems to be coming from the AC lines, not the compressor. I’m not really sure what I can do about this. The local Opel dealership doesn’t seem to know how to fix it either.

Also, I noticed that this issue isn’t really mentioned much in other threads, whether for Opel, Holden, etc., so I guess it’s a pretty rare problem. Maybe it only affects some specific 2018 models, I’m just speculating.

It's cooling quite well but the sound is very distracting whilist driving around town. It's so dissapointing

 

[TourX]

I went to an AC specialist last weekend and he showed me that the refrigerant level is correct, so unfortunately, my mechanic friend was right from the beginning, the sound seems to be coming from the AC lines, not the compressor. I’m not really sure what I can do about this. The local Opel dealership doesn’t seem to know how to fix it either.

Also, I noticed that this issue isn’t really mentioned much in other threads, whether for Opel, Holden, etc., so I guess it’s a pretty rare problem. Maybe it only affects some specific 2018 models, I’m just speculating.

It's cooling quite well but the sound is very distracting whilist driving around town. It's so dissapointin

I have a 2019, car has had the issue since new. Took instructions from techs posted on this forum to my dealer while still under warranty, they still couldn't fix it. It's something you just have to live with, or turn the radio up. To the car's credit, it is so quiet it makes this very noticeable.