I have a 1996 Ram 2500 V10, and this compressor fits many other models and years.
The AC Compressor compatible with Ram 1500 1994-2001, Dakota 1994-2001 3.9L, Ram 2500 1994-2002 5.9L, Dakota 1994-1999 5.2L, Durango 1998-1999, Ram 1500 2002 5.9L, Ram 2500 1994-2002 8.0L, Durango 2000-2001 5.9L, Dakota 1998-2001 5.9L, Ram 3500 1994-2002 8.0L, Ram 3500 1994-2002 5.9L, Durango 2000 5.2L, Ram 2500 1994-1996 5.2L

When I get the engine up to and above 2250 RPM, running the AC the compressor whinnes and gets louder the higher the RPMs.

Have any of you noticed this with your vehicles? If so did you get rid of the whining by replacing the compressor or whatever?

 

Have you checked the condition of the serpentine belt and the belt tensioner? Could that noise be a slipping belt?

 

I thought of the belt slipping but it has a new belt. It has whinnied like this for years, about 3 months ago, the emissions air pump locked up, and there is no new or rebuilt air pump to be had. I had to remove the air pump, relocate the belt tensioner, and install a shorter belt. Had the same problem with the air pump. To me the belt is very tight and shouldn't slip. I will be out today with the truck with the AC on for several miles, and check the pulley on the compressor to see if it has heated up from slipping. If slipping, it should be rather hot.

When the air pump locked up and in my research I found how to relocate the belt tensioner (give it a little twist) and the size of the belt I would need.

 

Just FYI, you should be able to find a good used air pump via car-part.com, if desired to re-hookup the air pump...

 

And have it lock up like mine did. No thank you. I had a rebuilt one on the truck and it only had about 50k miles when it went south, smoked the belt and had to have the truck towed home at a cost of $250 not including the new belt and the rework of the belt tensioner with a new pulley. So the cost was somewhere around $350-$400,

Had the truck out today on a good trip with the AC on running 2250 RPMs or more and after several miles I pulled off and shut the truck off to check the heat on the AC pulley. It was rather hot from the radiator heat but not any hotter than the alternator pulley. So I'm rather sure the belt isn't slipping. Plus the grooves in the belt don't look like it has been slipping on any pulley.

 

Completely understand. Economics & reliability tend to rule the day.

Is the belt a high quality belt (ie: Gates, Continential)? I ask, as some belts tend to squeal due to their composition.

If it's not the belt, then how many miles is on the A/C compressor? Could be the A/C clutch or possibly the compressor itself...

 

Yes, it is a high quality belt as were the one years ago. Over then life time of the truck I have put 3 new belts on it and every one of them had the whining of the compressor. It only whines when the AC is on. A couple years ago I had a new compressor put on because the clutch gave up the ghost instead of just a clutch, hoping that would take care of the whining, it didn't. As of today the truck only has 110k miles on it. I always save the old belt when I change it out, the belt I put on the last time with the smog pump was a Gates belt and the new one without the smog pump is a Master Pro. I used Master Pro because that is the belt number the fella in the video use when he removed the smog pump. Both belts have the noise if it is the belt and I'm rather certain it isn't the belt slipping. I'm sure I could get a Gates belt and there would be no difference in the noise when the AC is on.



It looks like you would have the same compressor that I do and not having the noise from the compressor at and above 2250 RPMs.

 

I have the same A/C compressor and I'm not experiencing any noise with 2250 RPMs or higher. Personally, I'd be tempted to change to a premium belt and the belt tensioner to see if anything changes for the weird issue you're experiencing.

 

Put a Gates Micro-V Serpentine Belt on with no difference in the noise, I could hear the compressor kick in and out. I have a belt tensioner on order and should get it this coming Saturday. I will let you know if it makes a difference.

While we are talking about this truck, do you know of anyone who has put dual electric fans on the radiator without overheating problems when towing in hot weather? I'm getting tired of the fan clutch that won't free wheel after startup. I have to hold the RPMs above 2250 for about a 1/4 mile to get it to free wheel or it roars. I'm sure it kills the fuel mileage too if I don't kick it out. There was only one time in hot weather, towing a travel trailer on a secondary HWY when the fan kicked in/locked up to draw air, otherwise, the fan can free wheel without heating up.

 

Engine driven fan clutch is thermostatically controlled. If it ain't hot enough, it'll freewheel, and save your gas mileage. If it isn't working properly, replace it.