I have an '03 Ram, 5.7 that I've had for about 6 years. Great truck all around.

Yesterday I was driving on the highway, had the A/C on and started to hear a sound about every 20 seconds. Narrowed it down to the A/C clutch.

At idle it wont do it, but at speed it makes a sound when it engages that is less of a chirp, and more of a "nurp", if that makes any sense.

There's no growling or grinding, just the "nurp" when it kicks on at speed.

So, do I just replace the clutch itself? Or could there be something else going on?

Thanks!

 

You can do just the clutch. However if its the compressor making metal. It's a waste of time. IMO I would change the compressor. Receiver dryer and orifice tube.

 

Yeah, that's what I thought too. There's no metal or anything, just a quick noise on clutch lockup, and then quiet.

 

Mine's done that for a while now. Let it go 'til if fails (start saving up now, though).

 

Yeah? How long?