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From inside the cabin, my engine has a noticeable squeak when the AC is turned on & running. Do you think this is a belt or something going wrong with the ac unit?
Car is a ...20??........Cruze xxFrom inside the cabin, my engine has a noticeable squeak when the AC is turned on & running. Do you think this is a belt or something going wrong with the ac unit?
Defrost or floor mode will turn on the A/C compressor.The chirp does not occur unless I turn on the knob for the blower for ac. It also appears to happen when I turn blower knob on for the heater. Does this narrow it down?
Possibly, but need clarification. I assume your compressor is always turned on? In other words, is your A/C indicator lit when you turn the blower on? A helpful experiment would be to turn off the compressor (hit the "A/C" button), then turn on your blower and see if the chirp happens. If it doesn't, then it's absolutely a problem with the serpentine belt system (belt, tensioner, or possibly just a bad bearing in one of the pulleys).The chirp does not occur unless I turn on the knob for the blower for ac. It also appears to happen when I turn blower knob on for the heater. Does this narrow it down?
Yes, except the Cruze never cycles the compressor (unless high side pressure gets too high or refrigerant is low). It's a variable displacement compressor, so it can stay engaged constantly.Possibly, but need clarification. I assume your compressor is always turned on? In other words, is your A/C indicator lit when you turn the blower on? A helpful experiment would be to turn off the compressor (hit the "A/C" button), then turn on your blower and see if the chirp happens. If it doesn't, then it's absolutely a problem with the serpentine belt system (belt, tensioner, or possibly just a bad bearing in one of the pulleys).
The reason this is a valid test: The A/C compressor pulls a considerable load on the engine, so it's possible that with it off there's not enough drag on the belt system to cause the culprit to chirp. Once the compressor clutch engages, it is enough drag to cause the chirp. Unless you are using the Recirc (the "Max A/C" option on some cars...not Cruze) and the blower on max, the compressor is constantly cycling on and off...so the chirp will come and go. If you turn your A/C on max (recirc, full blower fan) so the compressor is constantly engaged, the chirp will probably not go away.
Oh! Learned something new.Yes, except the Cruze never cycles the compressor (unless high side pressure gets too high or refrigerant is low). It's a variable displacement compressor, so it can stay engaged constantly.
That is true of most vehicle, for several years. Namely the defrost/defog (makes no sense blowing humid air on the windshield if you're trying to defog it).And as I recall, the compressor may be on even if the A/C light is off (depending on the mode selected).