Pontiac Repair: AC, compressor clutch, hub assembly

Question
My AC compressor makes a pinging noise like a light tap on a cymbal. When I turn the AC on, the noise stops. Do I need a new compressor or just a freon fill up?

Answer
Hi Steve:

The noise you hear is the compressor clutch. Either the clutch is broken or there is a build up of rust on the clutch and or hub assembly and the clutch is dragging on the compressor's hub. You may be able to just have the cluth replaced and not the hub as well on the compressor. either way it's going be a cheaper repair then a complete compressor assembly. Good luck :)