AC squeaking noise when turned on

[JQ911]

I have not used the AC since winter came in NJ. I just moved to sunny Southern California and decided to enjoy the 77 F weather yesterday and drove it along fwy 60 and 57 for around 15 miles before heading back. On my way home, I noticed an intermittent squeaking sound. I immediately turned off my AC and the noise stopped. It only happens when I use my AC for quiet sometime and just turn it off and on again for a few seconds and noise stops. My AC blows the usual cold of an old system (converted R134) and charge it up every 2 - 3 years

Would it be just a normal spray of WD40 somewhere along the blower? Where do I find it behind the dash (smugglers box area?). Newbie here who needs help. Thanks

[GH85Carrera]

If the fan for the evaporator is squeaking (common problem on a car that old) WD-40 will do nothing. To even get to the fan you will have to take the top cover of the evaporator box off. Wait for the squeak to start and see if it is coming from the smugglers box. If it is the smugglers box as the source that fan motor is the problem for sure. You can spend the time to take it all apart an not loose the AC charge put it is not fun. You can pull the fan and grease it and it will be better for a short time. In the end you will need a new fan motor. Now is a good time to upgrade to a better fan motor like Griffith's sells.

[kuehl]

The problem is the car 'came from NJ'. !!!!!

Glen is right about the WD40, it won't last long.

Since you have to take the top off the evaporator box to see what's happening....
"Sometimes" the evaporator fan motor drops down a few mm's and the plastic (86+) blower wheel is touching the plastic plate underneath.

[wwest]

Originally Posted by JQ911

I have not used the AC since winter came in NJ. I just moved to sunny Southern California and decided to enjoy the 77 F weather yesterday and drove it along fwy 60 and 57 for around 15 miles before heading back. On my way home, I noticed an intermittent squeaking sound. I immediately turned off my AC and the noise stopped. It only happens when I use my AC for quiet sometime and just turn it off and on again for a few seconds and noise stops. My AC blows the usual cold of an old system (converted R134) and charge it up every 2 - 3 years

Would it be just a normal spray of WD40 somewhere along the blower? Where do I find it behind the dash (smugglers box area?). Newbie here who needs help. Thanks

Loose V-belt...?

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by wwest

Loose V-belt...?

That would be a noise from the rear of the car not the front of the car.

[JQ911]

Ok update on the squealing sound, it sounds like its coming behind the gauges and when it squeals I noticed the air coming out of the vents shuts off too intermitently with the squealing sound. Ac blower motor probably? How do i access it? Though I enjoyed the 80+ weather today, I need an ac working for stop and go traffic.

Kuehl is quiet correct, when I turn or hit a bump that is where it squeals. Maybe the blower loses its alignment or something hitting something, then squeal goes away so forth and so on. That was a familliar sound on the ac of my 94 E320 W124.

[kuehl]

Open front trunk. Pull back carpets. Slide lever on 'smuggler's box' trap door. Open door.

1) Carefully pull out the thermostat's aluminum probe from the top of the evaporator box, do NOT bend the probe, if the aluminum breaks it won't function and you will have to replace the thermostat.

2) Remove the 4 10mm hex head nuts and the 2 brackets, be careful the hardware does not fall down in the smuggler's box well.

3) Disconnect white molex plug for the evap blower motor.

4) Loosen evap box air outlet tube clamp and pull back black duct tape.

5) There are 4 metal clips found around the sides of the evap box assembly,
the clips hold the top and bottom sections together. Before you attempt to remove the clips pack rags around the sides of the evap box to help prevent the clips from fall down into the bottom of the well. Take a piece of thin wire, solid core vs. stranded is preferred, you will notice the metal clips have a hole. Thread the wire through the hole and put and put a twist on it to secure the wire (this is to prevent the clip from getting away on you). Using a flat blade screw driver carefully push the clip off the plastic tabs of the box, do this carefully so you avoid breaking the plastic tabs on the box.

6) Push back the black Pretite insulation tape off the top of the box near the expansion valve.

7) Push back the evap box air outlet tube away from the round air outlet.
Lift the top of the box on the LH side (passenger side) and pull out the top halve of the box.

The evap blower motor assembly is inside. On 86+ model years there is a plastic plate underneath. Remove the phillips head screws securing the plastic plate to the top. Examine the blower wheel side of the plate to see if it was contacting, if so examine the blower wheel/motor assembly to see if the motor fell downward, there is a screw on the top side of the evap box top that holds the motor in place.
If the motor shifted attempt to snug the blower wheel/motor assembly high into the box top. Otherwise, the squeal is the 'age' and wear of the motor shaft and the 2 motor shaft bearings on either side of the motor frame.

If you get stuck, we are stuck in NJ as well, give us a call.

http://griffiths.com/shop/

Griff