I have an "02 XL7. I heard screeching noise when I turned on AC, noticed air was not cold, especially when car was not moving. I went to mechanic he said the belt was broke, I had it replaced for $100. Then noticed a clicking sound in AC. Went back, he said clutch had froze up and I needed a new Compressor. I paid $600 and had compressor replaced. When I got it back, it was still clicking and air was only cold sometimes. Took it back, they did checked the freon level (fine), replaced the compressor with a new one. When I picked it up, it was still clicking on and off ever 5 seconds or so, then there was a intermitent hissing sound and smoke coming from somewhere. They said they tried to flush the line. Did they put a hole in something while trying to fix the AC? Now he says I need to replace the condensor and the ac line! I feel frustrated because I am ignorant about what is going on with my car, so I am at the mercy of crooks and I live in the inland empire of southern california and I drive 45 minutes from work in the hottest part of the day. I can't go without air, but I dont' want to keep spending money and the problem doesn't get fixed. I don't want to take it back to that mechanic, what should I do, what should I tell another mechanic I need, should I take it to the dealer?
Drove the car to work today. On the way home I turned the air on when I got on the freeway. At first I heard bursts of air blowing from under the hood, but after a while that stopped. The air blew cool for a short period of time, then I noticed a slight whining noise, so I turned it off. I don't want to break the belt. When I turned it on again when I was going in stop and go traffic, I noticed it clicking on and off and the air was not cold. What do you think it can be?
The screeching noise you heard that first time was most likely the compressor jamming up and breaking the drive belt. You are fortunate if the belt is the only thing damaged. A shock to the engine like that can break or bend other things like brackets and internal parts of the engine.
It was not the clutch jamming up. If it was the clutch, all that would happen is that the compressor would run all the time. The clicking sound you heard after the belt was replaced was most likely the clutch ... which failed the first time you tried to use the air conditioning with the new belt ... this time the belt held and something else (the clutch) failed because the real cause, a jammed compressor, had not been fixed.
There is a problem with the XL-7 compressors. They fail prematurely but Suzuki is ignoring the entire subject hoping that owners will never report the problem to the NHTSA to trigger a recall. Suzuki's fear is real. If the compressor fails at highway speed and disables the power steering pump or breaks something vital in the engine, the resulting loss of control could result in a serious accident. But so far Suzuki has been fortunate as people are just grumbling amongst themselves and a few off-beat blogs (instead of filing reports with the NHTSA).
Anyhow, rumor has it that during the manufacture of some part in the XL-7 air conditioning system, the OEM did not properly clean out all the aluminum chips. As the system operates, the chips run through the system and if they happen to hit the compressor just right, the compressor can jam. The result will be that the drive belt will stop moving instantly and something will have to give. If one is fortunate, the engine will overpower the belt and it will burn through or break. If not, then the engine will be damaged. Good luck. This is only a rumor ... I saw one posting on a blog a couple months back and have NOT been able to find it again. Hmmmmm.
Anyhow, now you'll have to replace the compressor. Have the mechanic replace the condensor(s) also. And make sure he thoroughly flushes and cleans the lines also. Or you'll be repeating this process again. :-(
BTW, the hissing noise and smoke you are seeing is actually system leaks and the freon leaking out. In the course of repairs you have had so far, the mechanic must have damaged more components or lines. There's really no excuse for this kind of carelessness. Let's just hope they put the correct kind of freon back in! It does make a difference!!
I had a problem w/ my a/c in my 99' jxl. I would get cold sometimes then be hot. There were couple other issues w/ it but I jus replaced the condensor and my problem was fixed..
I read your posts carefully cuz I also have an AC prob I try to resolve.
It seems that u went thru 2 compressors n the prob was not fixed!
now is june n I have not seen any follow up response in having the prob fixed.
However, NO 1 mentioned so far anything about the "expansion Valve".
If this part is blocked (cuz of fragments) the compresser may bind cuz there is not outlet of the pressure n everything in the high pressure side of the line may fail, the condenser included.
kris
The mechanic ripped you off, the first belt went when the compressor froze, wasted your 100 dollar bill, a thousand new belts wouldn't fix it.
Then they improperly fixed the system and want to charge you more.
AC work HAS to be done right, there is no room for error.
The compressor has to be replaced, the dryer or accumulator, the TXV or orifice, thorough flushing and cleaning. I personally remove all the coils and lines to flush and dry,
The compressor was replaced and it still did not work properly. Took it to suzuki dealer, they said the only problem was too much freon, took some out. Problem still exists. Blows cold when the car is going, blows warm when the car is standing still, even when just stopped at a light. Will take it back to the dealer, but just not convenient because it is 60 miles away.
The compressor was replaced and it still did not work properly. Took it to suzuki dealer, they said the only problem was too much freon, took some out. Problem still exists. Blows cold when the car is going, blows warm when the car is standing still, even when just stopped at a light. Will take it back to the dealer, but just not convenient because it is 60 miles away.
I've seen this problem a lot with 134a, it tends to run a high head pressure, so likely the high pressure cut-out is making the compressor turn off at stand still, while the vehicle is moving enough air is moving over the condenser to keep the head pressure down, compressor comes on, air is cold. Its either over charged, air in the system or, the condenser fan is in-op.
Frustrated with A/C Problems
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