loud clicking.. A/C compressor or E Fan?
 

I've written about this noise before and am not sure if it's normal or not. When I run the A/C or even the heater there is a loud clicking sound that happens every 30 sec or so... Like something engaging and then turn off. It's rather loud. Is this normal? 2001 XJ 60 Anv Edition 4X4

have you opened the hood and looked at the compressor ????

Yeah, the compressor seems to make a loud clicking sound when the AC is turned on and off. I guess that's the clutch??? It seems louder that it used to be but maybe it's just me..... Other than that it seems to work fine... It cools the cabin just fine..... But should I be worried it's on it's way out.

'bump'

How many miles do you have on it? I no that after awhile they will make that clicking sound.

is the freon full,pressures need to be checked

@130mph- 148,000 miles

@free - not sure about the freon pressure... How would I check that? Like I mentioned earlier, the system seems to cool correctly but the compressor is noisey.

Does the noise change acording to speed

It's a good chance your compressor is on its way out. Of it does it only every 30 secs or so that's when the compressor cycles and does it's thing. Have you looked the compressor as it makes the noise cause you'll notice theres a second wheel, the clutch that spins whenthe compressor is working

When the A/C is off everything spins and no loud clicking, as expected. When the A/C is turned on, I can see the 'clutch' pop on and engage the cog on the serpentine belt and that's when I hear the loud click... Almost like a solinoid activating... I suppose I could try to find another Cherokee owner near me and run the same test sequence to see if it is as noisy as mine....

is it one click or a constant clicking as it spins. If its just one click it could just be the compresssor kicking on then you should here the rumble of it after that. I just had to replace the compressor on my 01 this week. The bearing went and started burning up the clutch

A loud click to engage, then a whirring sound then a loud click to disengage.... This cycles about every 30 seconds....

Mine makes that noise too. Can look and listen for you later today...

Yea mines does that cycle too. Although not sure how "loud" is, I can tell you mine sounds better than it did two weeks ago. My old compressor, although it worked, always sounded rough.

Yeah, mine makes a loud click as it engages.