My '99 has been making some noise lately and I thought I'd try to get some opinions. I've lately been getting some noise when the AC is on. I assumed it was the compressor, but when I listen to it the sound appears to be coming from the alternator. All belts are tight and it doesn't make any noise unless the AC is on. The noise is kind of hard to describe, so I took a video of it.

Sometimes it doesn't make any noise at all, sometimes it's constant. Today it was intermittent, just makes a noise every 30 seconds or so: (hopefully the video works, if it's not showing up it sound like the cross between a deep squeal and the sound you'd make when someone punches you in the stomach)



I want to think maybe the bearings on a pulley are going out, but can't figure out why it would be coming from the alternator only when the AC is on. If anyone has a theory I'd love to hear it. Thanks.

 

Simple solution. Remove AC.

 

"An error occurred, please try again later." -YouTube.

Without seeing the video, I'd say your ac system is low on oil, definitely not something you should be driving around with, as it'll ruin the pump. It's a can at the auto store for $20 that you press into your AC line, much like a re-filling a lighter.

 

It's my daily, definitely won't be losing AC, haha.

I got a can of freon (or whatever it is), and it was already overfilled so I didn't add any more. The air blows cold, just makes noises.