A/C - Rattling Noise From The A/C Compressor
87 08 122017084/2
December 5, 2008.
Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 87 number 08-01 dated January 10, 2008 for reasons listed below.
Affected Vehicles
87 Rattle noise from engine area
Condition
Rattle noise from the air conditioning compressor. The noise is particularly audible in ECON operation. When the compressor operates under load, the noise is hardly audible. This condition is exhibited only in vehicles equipped with a DENSO air conditioning compressor with a plastic pulley.
Technical Background
Damper elements of the plastic pulley are noisy under little or no compressor load.
Production Solution
New compressor from model year 2008.
Service
1. Check whether a plastic pulley is installed on the air conditioning compressor.
2. Make certain that the vehicle is in a temperature environment above 5 degrees C (approximately 40 degrees F), as a compressor shut off condition is active below this temperature.
3. Set the HVAC system to full cooling, and listen for noise.
4. Activate ECON mode. If the noise is only present in ECON and not in full cooling, it is likely that the compressor pulley is the source of the noise.
Figure 1:
5. Apply a noise-dampening foil (part number 8E0 260 329) to the pulley as shown in the illustration.
The air conditioning compressor does not have to be removed.
6. If this solution is not successful, replace the plastic pulley according to the repair information in ElsaWeb >> Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning >> Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning >> 87 Air Conditioning >> Compressor Belt Pulley/Drive Unit, Replacing.
Warranty
When procedure applies to vehicles under warranty, use the table.
Required Parts and Tools
Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.