Clicking Noise when AC is On
 

I hear a continuous clicking noise when the AC is on in my RX8. It's not super loud and I can't really hear it over the radio unless I'm listening for it. I just caught wind of it when I was at the drive through and I had my window down. It's a steady click though... like a compressor coming on or something... and it's only when the AC is on.. it does it a few times a min and always at the same interval. I didn't know if this was normal or not for this type of car or if something needed to be inspected. The AC seems to run fine as I'll run it for an hour or so on my commute and it doesn't lose coolness or operate out of the norm.

Just wonder if I maybe need to get something replaced before the warranty runs out soon. :)

And yes I've searched the forums... but just found stuff on engine noise clicking and that "marbles in a can" scenario. I'm not sure this applies to those issues though because it's only when the AC is on.

Thanks for any help or knowledge you guys got!

What you are hearing is the A/C system cycling. While it's normal for the compressor to "cycle" 3 or 4 times a minute; more then that indicates a low Freon charge.

i have the same noice is not loud and im sure is normal

Alright, sounds like it's good to go then. Thanks again for the info.
Great forum here!

Sam

The click is the electric clutch on the compressor wheel engaging/releasing.

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but when my car is idling and it starts to click. It feels as if the car wants to shut off. IS that suppose to happen? Also my AC doesn't work, it just spits out hot air when its on AC. Tried adding AC Pro and it didn't help

Take it in for AC service

+1 ^

The AC turns on and off at idle. The click is the clutch for the AC engaging and disengaging I believe. When the AC kicks on it puts a greater load on the engine. If your car does not idle well, then it may struggle with the extra load of the AC compressor. As for the hot air issue, it sounds like your AC system needs recharged. If you added refrigerant and it did not improve, there may be a leak in the system. AC compressors don't last forever. For example, if the bearings in the compressor were going out, AC performance could be poor and it could put an even greater load on the engine.