Q: Can the ac compressor be disconnected and noise go away

asked by on February 15, 2017

The engine makes a rattling sound on the passenger side. It does it all the time regardless of the AC running or not. Everything runs and drives fine. I think it's the AC clutch or the compressor. Can the AC compressor be disconnected and the van still run ok. Also will the heat still work.

My car has 126000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Car is making a noise Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

The a/c compressor cannot be permanently removed because the serpentine belt powers all accessories, including the compressor, in one "circuit". If you were to take the compressor out you won’t be able to install the serpentine belt because a key component will just not be there. The A/C and heating systems are independent of one another and so each will work regardless of the status, or even presence, of the other. If the noise is occurring, and is completely unchanged, regardless of whether or not the compressor is engaged (i.e., A/C turned ON), then the noise has nothing to do with the compressor or clutch. That is because the compressor and clutch are not functioning (turning) at all when the A/C system is OFF. So, if the noise is there all the time the cause has to be elsewhere. There is a bearing on the A/C pulley that does turn all the time but that bearing would just simply be one of many rotating elements in the serpentine belt circuit that could be causing the noise.
If the sound is not really obvious (pinpointed) on your or a mechanic’s initial inspection, a quick diagnostic can be performed by simply taking all of the belt driven accessories out of the picture by disconnecting the serpentine belt and then very briefly running the engine. If the sound disappears, the faulty component is then isolated amongst the accessories and pulleys driven by the belt. If the sounds does NOT disappear, that means the noise you are hearing originates within the engine and/or transmission. If you want these steps performed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request a vehicle noise diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Problems with shifting.
Transmissions can be totally destroyed inside and not shift or it could be something simple such as a speed sensor if reading erratic. The only way to tell is to have the system thoroughly checked by a certified transmission technician,...
Idling high
There are a couple of possible causes for a high idle (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-idle-speed-is-high-inspection). The most common is a Vacuum leak, which allows excess air into the intake causing the computer to read information improperly. Other causes are exhaust leaks, or various...
Headlights won't turn off
Something like this is usually caused by a faulty headlight switch or a shorted wire going to the headlights. The source of the problem needs to be inspected so I would recommend having this looked at by a mechanic so...
High fuel pressure
I'd definitely start there because the fuel pressure regulator, as the name suggests, detects and regulates the fuel pressure in the system. If it has too high of a pressure, then the regulator has gone bad (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-fuel-pressure-regulator). That's a very...
When turning left from a stop vehicle binds and stability control warning light flashes
Hello, Your car is equipped with wheel speed sensors at each of the four wheels which monitor wheel speed while relaying this information constantly to the ABS and traction control system which are controlled by the car's ECU. When the...
Engine vibration
Hi there. The problem you're describing is typically caused by one of two things. First, is a fuel flow issue. When the vehicle is placed into drive it creates a load on the engine. To ensure that the engine continues...
Is it possible to start a car with a dead fuel pump? If so, how?
Hey there. You will need to verify whether or not the fuel pump is actually at fault before moving forward with repairs. This fuel pump is accessed under the rear seat through an access panel. If you have a bad...
What should it cost to replace ac compressor, accumulator
It takes roughly 12 hours to replace the compressor and expansion valve. As you may know, the expansion valve is attached to the evaporator under the dash and thus is not readily accessible, hence the hours. If you input your...
what should you change every year on your car
Besides an oil change you should have the air filter checked and replaced if needed. Also have tires rotated. Other than this you should follow the vehicles recomendations for higher mileages and have a complete check up on the suspension...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're a Construction Worker
If If you're a construction worker, you don’t have to worry about hauling a whole lot of supplies and materials to the site – that’s the boss’s problem. As long as it’s big enough to hold your tools (and most...
How to Diagnose and Repair Noisy Brakes
Squeaky car brakes are hard to drive with. If your car brakes are making noise, check the brake pads and brake rotors to see if they are worn down.
How to Replace an Air Conditioning Compressor Relay
The air conditioning compressor relay supplies power to the compressor for AC function. This relay should be replaced if it's proven to be faulty.