I'm just curious if any other srt 4 owners have the same noise I do...After a day or so of non-use I turn on my air conditioner and hear a loud thud. It also drags the engine down for a second. I can feel it too. This all happens sitting at idle in a parking space after work. Now, I understand the clutch engages the compressor into action but man this is over the top loud. After that first bang it cycles w/o any noise. My car has 700 miles on it. It has me wondering what it would sound like at freeway speeds. I'd like to know if this could be a problem.

Secondly, my boost gauge seems to be out of calibration. When I roll off the throttle it nearly hits 30 on the vac and touches the stop peg. When the engine is turned off it does not go back to zero. It sits at 10 on the vac side. I would say it's a bad gauge. Are there any other thoughts on that one? Has anyone else come across this issue?

Thanks.

 

If its an 05 they are notorious for AC problems....bad compressors

Yes its a bad boost gauge, plenty of us have dealt with it. Take it to your dealer and they'll replace it free of charge. Some even COME that way, but salespeople dont know the damned difference.

 

On the thud/clunk - do you have aftermarket motor mounts or inserts?

 

Thank you for the replies.

Yes it is an 05. I hope it doesn't turn into a big A/C repair issue. I'll just have to see how this acts long term. If any other 05 owners have this noise I'd like to hear from you. I went out tonight and turned the A/C on in the driveway and no clunk. Are there any recalls on the compressors that you know of? I thought that boost gauge was not right. I use a VDO boost gauge in my 65 VW and it always sits on zero. I have never seen any other boost gauge not zero back out. I'll take that advice and have the dealer replace it.

My set-up is all stock, mounts included.

Scott

 

With the engine off that is...

 

I think the boost gauge in my 05 is also out of wack. Can someone please give me some ideas of where the needle should be at what time. Especially at idle, normal crusie on freeway. I am assuming that it should be at 0 with the engine off, which it is not.

 

it all depends on your throtle or gas petal position. with car on and just idling i think its right in vac but not much im not sure though since i havent driven my car in like 3 weeks.

 

Well all you really need to know is if it's at 0 w/engine off. You say yours isn't, so it's bad. Period.
As far as under running conditions, these vary a lot by engine load and throttle setting. My engine is completely stock, and I'll tell you these things are what I routinely see. Idle? can't remember but I think about -16, but changes with a/c cycles. WOT; spikes to 15-16, sometimes 18-19, but settles back to about 13. Deceleration; As much as -22. Cruising down the highway on a flat section at about 65-70mph, I run about -10.

 

THANKS, that is the exact information I was looking for. I guess I shall have to make a trip to the dealer to have the gauge replaced.
Thanks again,
DOn

 

I idle at around 20 in VAC, boost I never pay attention to because im almost ALWAYS in vac. Obviously when off it should sit at zero.