Pontiac Repair: gran am a/c, pontiac gran, auto parts stores

Question
my 1999 pontiac gran am a/c makes a loud noise until
it it engaged than it completely stops until a/c is turned off

Answer
Hey Douglas.

Yep that is a common problem so to speak. it's a loud ringing or bell type noise... The problem is with the clutch on the front of the compressor. when the compressor is turned on it created an electromagnetic field that sucks the clutch against the hub that the belt rides and that clutch then turns the compressor. Either the springs on the clutch that release it are weak/broken or there is a build up of rust between the hub and clutch.. Okay Now what do you do to fix it. The parts are not all that expensive. depending on how bad or how long it's been doing it you may be able to just buy the clutch and be done with it but if it's been doing it for a while you are going to need the hub as well. This job requires special tools to remove the clutch and the hub and special tools to install them. It's really a relatively easy job when you have the tools to do it. some of the auto parts stores have tools to rent but these tools are pretty specialized and I doubt you will be able to find them... You could but a used compressor from a junk yard yourself and put that on and take a chance that it's a "good" compressor or you could buy a new/remanufactured compressor to put on the car. The only problem being is that you need to drain,evacuate and recharge the system and add the correct amount of oil back into the system. This is critical!!!!!! proper oil balance protects the compressor and also affects the way the system cools. good luck :)