Follow Up: 2002 Suburban A/C Chirp Noise (Video Included)
August 1st, 2011, 8:35 PM
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Follow Up: 2002 Suburban A/C Chirp Noise (Video Included)
I had posted about a month ago about an a/c chirping noise my 2002 Suburban has started making. It started back in June when I had to make a sharp U-turn. I was convinced it was a belt issue. Ever since then, my a/c has been making this chirp noise when accelerating, its a combination of a chirp / clanging noise. But when I get up to road speed, it pretty much goes away. The a/c has continued to work fine, no problems, except for the noise when accelerating. The other sympton is that at a low idle speeds or low speeds in drive (such as pulling into a parking lot), the power steering goes almost dead. This is why my gut says its a belt issue somewhere.
The past week my power steering pump has been checked, the power steering fluid drained and redone. The serpentine belt and a/c belts have been replace, as well as the a/c belt tensioner. Yet the noise continues. I have seen the reference to reprogramming your PCM with a software calibration that came out in October 2007 (STB 07-01-38-010) but from what I can find this does not cover a 2002 Suburban.
Here is a link to a video I made today of the sound (it sounds more banging on the video than it actually is), you can see it goes away when I turn off the a/c:
‪2002 Suburban A/C Noise‬‏ - YouTube
I am ready to take to a GM dealer here to check this out, but I am looking for any other suggestions. I pray its not the compressor, my gut says its a belt but I dont know what else to try. The fact that there is this noise plus the power steering issue at low speeds / idle is what makes me think its a belt issue somewhere.
Any suggestions??? Thanks in advance for your help!!!
The past week my power steering pump has been checked, the power steering fluid drained and redone. The serpentine belt and a/c belts have been replace, as well as the a/c belt tensioner. Yet the noise continues. I have seen the reference to reprogramming your PCM with a software calibration that came out in October 2007 (STB 07-01-38-010) but from what I can find this does not cover a 2002 Suburban.
Here is a link to a video I made today of the sound (it sounds more banging on the video than it actually is), you can see it goes away when I turn off the a/c:
‪2002 Suburban A/C Noise‬‏ - YouTube
I am ready to take to a GM dealer here to check this out, but I am looking for any other suggestions. I pray its not the compressor, my gut says its a belt but I dont know what else to try. The fact that there is this noise plus the power steering issue at low speeds / idle is what makes me think its a belt issue somewhere.
Any suggestions??? Thanks in advance for your help!!!
August 2nd, 2011, 9:14 PM
#3
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Professional Mechanic
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In Section: 01 - HVAC
Bulletin No.: 03-01-38~019A
Date: September, 2004
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Underhood Rattle Noise Heard On Acceleration (Check A/C System Performance and Compressor Operation)
Models:
2003-2004 Cadillac CTS
2002-2004 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT
2003-2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2002-2004 Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe
2002-2004 GMC Denali, Denali XL, Savana, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL
2002-2004 Commercial Upfitter Chassis Vehicles
with Air Conditioning (A/C)
This bulletin is being revised to update the service procedure and parts information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 03-01-38-019 (Section 01 - HVAC).
Condition
Some customers may comment about an underhood rattle noise heard on acceleration or a sudden loss of A/C system performance.
Cause
This condition may be caused by liquid slugging of the A/C compressor. This condition may cause an internal failure in the A/C compressor. The serpentine belt tensioner and serpentine belt may also be damaged.
Correction
Technicians are to check the A/C system performance and compressor operation using the following repair procedure:
1. Open the hood and inspect the A/C compressor for damage and to see if the compressor is seized. Verify that the serpentine belt is not damaged or missing. If the A/C compressor is seized, proceed to Step 5.
2. Perform the A/C System Performance test. Refer to the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) section of SI. Correct any performance concerns or refrigerant leaks that are found.
3. Inspect the vehicle for other possible sources of A/C compressor noise or performance concerns. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 01-01-38-013 for more information.
4. After all other possible sources of A/C compressor noise or performance concerns have been eliminated, only then should the A/C compressor be replaced.
5. Remove the A/C compressor. Refer to the A/C Compressor Replacement procedure in the HVAC section of SI.
6. Inspect the transmission cooler lines for damage due to contact from the serpentine belt. Replace the transmission cooler lines if necessary.
7. Install an inline A/C system filter. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 01-01-38-006C for more information about A/C system flushing and filter installation procedures. An A/C system flush is not to be done unless prior authorization is given by the GM Area Service Manager (in Canada, the District Service Manager).
8. Install an A/C Suction Screen. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 01-01-39-003A for more information about A/C suction screen repair recommendations and procedures.
9. Install a new A/C compressor. Refer to the Compressor Replacement procedure in the HVAC section of SI.
10. Install a new orifice tube for the front A/C system. Refer to the Expansion (Orifice) Tube Replacement procedure in SI.
11. If the vehicle is a 2003 model year Chevrolet Express or GMC Savana van, the vehicle may require a new accumulator. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 03-01-38-016 for more information. This bulletin refers to an updated design accumulator that may improve the performance of the A/C system.
12. Install a new serpentine belt tensioner and serpentine belt if they have been damaged due to A/C system slugging or an A/C compressor seizure. The serpentine belt tensioner may have broken stop tabs and/or a missing front cap.
13. Verify proper operation of the A/C system.
Bulletin No.: 03-01-38~019A
Date: September, 2004
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Underhood Rattle Noise Heard On Acceleration (Check A/C System Performance and Compressor Operation)
Models:
2003-2004 Cadillac CTS
2002-2004 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade EXT
2003-2004 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2002-2004 Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe
2002-2004 GMC Denali, Denali XL, Savana, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL
2002-2004 Commercial Upfitter Chassis Vehicles
with Air Conditioning (A/C)
This bulletin is being revised to update the service procedure and parts information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 03-01-38-019 (Section 01 - HVAC).
Condition
Some customers may comment about an underhood rattle noise heard on acceleration or a sudden loss of A/C system performance.
Cause
This condition may be caused by liquid slugging of the A/C compressor. This condition may cause an internal failure in the A/C compressor. The serpentine belt tensioner and serpentine belt may also be damaged.
Correction
Technicians are to check the A/C system performance and compressor operation using the following repair procedure:
1. Open the hood and inspect the A/C compressor for damage and to see if the compressor is seized. Verify that the serpentine belt is not damaged or missing. If the A/C compressor is seized, proceed to Step 5.
2. Perform the A/C System Performance test. Refer to the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) section of SI. Correct any performance concerns or refrigerant leaks that are found.
3. Inspect the vehicle for other possible sources of A/C compressor noise or performance concerns. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 01-01-38-013 for more information.
4. After all other possible sources of A/C compressor noise or performance concerns have been eliminated, only then should the A/C compressor be replaced.
5. Remove the A/C compressor. Refer to the A/C Compressor Replacement procedure in the HVAC section of SI.
6. Inspect the transmission cooler lines for damage due to contact from the serpentine belt. Replace the transmission cooler lines if necessary.
7. Install an inline A/C system filter. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 01-01-38-006C for more information about A/C system flushing and filter installation procedures. An A/C system flush is not to be done unless prior authorization is given by the GM Area Service Manager (in Canada, the District Service Manager).
8. Install an A/C Suction Screen. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 01-01-39-003A for more information about A/C suction screen repair recommendations and procedures.
9. Install a new A/C compressor. Refer to the Compressor Replacement procedure in the HVAC section of SI.
10. Install a new orifice tube for the front A/C system. Refer to the Expansion (Orifice) Tube Replacement procedure in SI.
11. If the vehicle is a 2003 model year Chevrolet Express or GMC Savana van, the vehicle may require a new accumulator. Refer to Corporate Bulletin Number 03-01-38-016 for more information. This bulletin refers to an updated design accumulator that may improve the performance of the A/C system.
12. Install a new serpentine belt tensioner and serpentine belt if they have been damaged due to A/C system slugging or an A/C compressor seizure. The serpentine belt tensioner may have broken stop tabs and/or a missing front cap.
13. Verify proper operation of the A/C system.
August 3rd, 2011, 9:24 AM
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thanks as always for the feedback. what still gets me is that this problem all started the second after i was forced to make a sharp u turn back in the end of june. how can making a sharp u turn cause your a/c compressor to screw up? and what about the connection between this noise and the fact that my power steeling basically goes dead at low speed / idle? and besides this noise, my a/c continues to work perfectly.
i am taking it to my local chevy dealership tomorrow here in richmond va for them to diagnose, and bring a copy of the above TSB for reference. i know my way around an engine but i am not an expert. but i just can not understand how at the same second i was forced to make a quick shart u turn that my a/c started making this noise. that is what is driving me crazy.
i am taking it to my local chevy dealership tomorrow here in richmond va for them to diagnose, and bring a copy of the above TSB for reference. i know my way around an engine but i am not an expert. but i just can not understand how at the same second i was forced to make a quick shart u turn that my a/c started making this noise. that is what is driving me crazy.
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August 3rd, 2011, 9:45 PM
#8
Administrator
wild guess, is the power steering pump was put under a load on the turn and that in turn put more stress on the rest of the system... or maybe it was just pure coincident...
August 4th, 2011, 7:44 PM
#10
CF Senior Member
go get one at auto zone ($200-280) or the like swap it out yourself and have the system evacuated and recharge. problem solved.
:chug: