Hissing from Climate control system

WetWaders · 05-18-2004, 01:10 PM

Has anyone noticed an intermittent hissing coming from the climate control system? It sounds like the purging of a pressure or vacuum chamber. I don't want to get this confused with the "purge valve" problems mentioned elswhere that cause a ticking sound. This is different, a very distinctive hiss like air being suked in or pushed out.

It happens when A/C is on or off, and you can just hear a small click like a switch engaing, and then the hiss, which lasts about 3 seconds or so, and diminishes in intensity. It seems to come from directly behind the center of the dash. I think it's climate control-related because I dont notice it if the blower is completely off, but I could be wrong about that. Not sure if it's normal or a problem.

Anyway, am I alone in this?

bbqhog · 05-18-2004, 01:11 PM

I hope it is normal because mine does it too. Maybe it is sighing?

VShortt · 05-18-2004, 01:52 PM

Mine does this as well. I always just passed this off as normal. I have experienced this in other cars, but I was only able to hear it taking place from outside of the vehicle. I thought about starting a thread on this topic as well, but it never really concerned me that much.

Truck41 · 05-18-2004, 02:25 PM

mine does it also, i have heard that they are working on a fix.

Fontana Titan · 05-18-2004, 04:09 PM

I feel safe in telling you guys it's normal. I have a Titan and an '03 Frontier CC. Both trucks do that and the AC will make an ice cube outta ya.

rrumaner · 05-18-2004, 04:23 PM

Mine does that as well. I figure it is normal and wouldn't be heard with the radio or a CD playing.

Fontana Titan · 05-18-2004, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrumaner

Mine does that as well. I figure it is normal and wouldn't be heard with the radio or a CD playing.

I've always had the same philosophy. Drown out anything you don't like with some good music. The problem with this truck though is that it's one of the only vehicles i've owned where the motor is the music. I love to hear it and don't mind driving with the radio off. If anything gets in the way of that i'll have it addressed pronto.

Deepwater · 05-18-2004, 08:47 PM

Just thought I would chime in on this one.
The noise you all are hearing is coming from the AC Expansion Valve located inside of the Evaporator case. And while I was at the dealer last week they told me that there is now a fix for this and they will be releasing out a TSB on it. they had been working on it for awhile. just thought I would pass along the info!

rrumaner · 05-18-2004, 08:51 PM

Thanks Deep. I am getting my 7500 mile oilchange/tire rotation/check up on Thursday. I will ask them to check into this then.

the head · 05-23-2004, 10:08 AM

It's just the compressor kicking on and off pressurizing the system. Doesn't bother me a bit. In fact there are a lot of things that people complain about this truck that I just don't get. If you want a quiet ride, get a luxury car and not a truck. I guess I'm just old fashioned or something.

Half Shovel · 05-23-2004, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the head

It's just the compressor kicking on and off pressurizing the system. Doesn't bother me a bit. In fact there are a lot of things that people complain about this truck that I just don't get. If you want a quiet ride, get a luxury car and not a truck. I guess I'm just old fashioned or something.

Head,
At 30+thousand dollars, this IS a luxury car

Ok, maybe it's not a luxury car (they're sittin' at 50 grand plus these days), but it's a lot of cash for most of us. It's by far the most I've paid for a car, so speaking personally, I would expect a quiet, refined ride.

More importantly, hearing suspect hissing noises from your AC hints at "something wrong", and not just a "noise to live with".

rrumaner · 05-23-2004, 10:56 AM

I couldn't reproduce the sound at the dealer the other day. I think it has to do with the humidity at the time however as all the other conditions were the same.

Muranotitan · 05-27-2004, 12:05 PM

I have noticed the same type of AC related hissing sound and it really bothers me. I can hear it over the stereo. It comes and goes for a few seconds at a time any time the AC is on, and seems to be worst during acceleration. It is definately compressor related because I can end it midstream by hitting the compressor switch. The sound reminds me of an old mid 70's Chrysler prduct with a manifold heat riser that rattled. I will be interested to see if a fix develops.

Truck41 · 05-27-2004, 12:33 PM

dont fret, it's normal for this truck.

Sportzfan · 05-27-2004, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deepwater

Just thought I would chime in on this one.
The noise you all are hearing is coming from the AC Expansion Valve located inside of the Evaporator case. And while I was at the dealer last week they told me that there is now a fix for this and they will be releasing out a TSB on it. they had been working on it for awhile. just thought I would pass along the info!

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]Deepwater,
If you get any more info on this could you please make a post letting us know? Some people may say its normal, but I have never heard this in any other vehicle I have owned or ridden in. Mine is loud enough that people who ride with me notice it immediately.

Thanks[/FONT]