After trying to recharge the AC I found the compressor making an awful ratcheting sound every time the clutch spins. I have a chevy sub c1500. Almost the second I started filling, the guage shot from Zero to 60 showing it already had enough refrigerant. I stopped filling and noticed every time the compressor kicked in above 42psi which took about 6 seconds the clutch would spin with a loud ratcheting sound. 3 seconds later it would stop and this cycle would continue with the clutch (or whatever) making the same ratcheting sound until I switched the AC off. There is a minimal amount of cold air coming from the vent, a very minimal amount, but it's mostly hot air. Is the compressor/clutch shot? Is there a cheaper fix than replacing the compressor?

 

Welcome to the forum.

Sounds like an overcharge. The noise might be liquid refrigerant going thru the compressor.

 

New compressor or is there a fix? Just seems strange that the noise is only aparrent when the clutch spins and the clutch was spinning every few seconds for a few seconds until I vented off some refrigerant and brought the pressure down to 42psi, since then the clutch doesn't spin, which I'm lead to believe means it's low on refrigerant. Now I'm back to square one with no AC and plenty of hot air, it's like driving with the wife!!