Strange Noise While A/C is Running

[Jay Johnson]

Bought my 2024 Ranger Lariat on Sept 21st. While sitting in parking lot at work while listening to Nascar radio I could here a strange noise coming from passenger side dash area. I turned the volume down and it was pretty irritating. I turned the A/C off with the fan still running and the noise instantly quit. I turned the A/C back on and noise comes back. It's doesn't do it all the time. Seems like after driving a few mins on a hot day. Dealership has had it since Monday Oct 7th. They claim they can't replicate the noise. Also claim A/C checks out fine. The best I can describe the noise is a whirling, clicking type noise. Any thoughts from the forum?

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[Ford Motor Company]

Bought my 2024 Ranger Lariat on Sept 21st. While sitting in parking lot at work while listening to Nascar radio I could here a strange noise coming from passenger side dash area. I turned the volume down and it was pretty irritating. I turned the A/C off with the fan still running and the noise instantly quit. I turned the A/C back on and noise comes back. It's doesn't do it all the time. Seems like after driving a few mins on a hot day. Dealership has had it since Monday Oct 7th. They claim they can't replicate the noise. Also claim A/C checks out fine. The best I can describe the noise is a whirling, clicking type noise. Any thoughts from the forum?

Hi there! If you send over a DM with your VIN and Ford dealer info, I can look into your concerns on my end.

 

[olefordguy]

When the ac is on does it blow cold air? A clicking noise could be the compressor/clutch kicking on/off which is normal. If it’s doing it constantly something might need checked. Maybe low coolant in the system? Maybe others will chime in, I’m far from being a mechanic….

 

[RANGER/HOBB]

Bought my 2024 Ranger Lariat on Sept 21st. While sitting in parking lot at work while listening to Nascar radio I could here a strange noise coming from passenger side dash area. I turned the volume down and it was pretty irritating. I turned the A/C off with the fan still running and the noise instantly quit. I turned the A/C back on and noise comes back. It's doesn't do it all the time. Seems like after driving a few mins on a hot day. Dealership has had it since Monday Oct 7th. They claim they can't replicate the noise. Also claim A/C checks out fine. The best I can describe the noise is a whirling, clicking type noise. Any thoughts from the forum?

Video of what you’re experienced would help immensely.

 

[Critical Habitat]

Bought my 2024 Ranger Lariat on Sept 21st.

There were comments on 5G forum here HVAC 'clicking' normal or not? | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com
Some mentioned actuator clicking at the end of its travel, blend door issues, etc. (I'm worse than being no mechanic, so not much help).
Here is one post. And, if it keeps happening, try taking it to another dealer.
I investigated mine in more detail. It is the same as yours. My passenger actuator is just noisy when it gets to the end of its adjustment. I can hear the actuator motor moving the blend door. When it stops, there is a light click. The actuator motor is moving and the heat/cool mix is working. Worst case if the actuator fails, either the dealer or myself will replace it.

I posted this in a reply to airline tech here:
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/yet-another-climate-heater-issue.22923/page-4#post-620110

 

[Jay Johnson]

Blows cold air. Actually very cold. Noise is constant once it starts. Dealership said they checked A/C system and charge is fine. If they can't replicate the sound by tomorrow morning I'm going to pick it up and I'll try to get a video clip to share.

 

[Jay Johnson]

I thought about the blend door but this noise is constant once it starts unless you turn the A/C off.

 

[Critical Habitat]

The 5G thread I linked (first post) does mention some rattling/clicking in one post and even has a video/audio. Is it anything like this? Strange that the dealer could not replicate it.
Good luck. The next post mentioned it may be in stage of early failure.

 

[Hootbro]

I am betting there is something in the fan housing area where the squirrel cage for the fan motor rests. When you turn off the AC, the recirculation door is closing and muting the sound. AC on, the recirculation door opens and sound returns.

I would drop the glove box door and remove the cabin air filter and cycle the AC on/off, observe and go from there.

 

[Jay Johnson]

If I turn the A/C off and leave fan running sound goes away immediately. Fan still blows air through vents. Immediately when I turn A/C back on sounds starts again. And you can hear it outside the vehicle. I've already had 3 people standing next to the truck ask me what the noise is.

 

[Hootbro]

If I turn the A/C off and leave fan running sound goes away immediately. Fan still blows air through vents. Immediately when I turn A/C back on sounds starts again. And you can hear it outside the vehicle. I've already had 3 people standing next to the truck ask me what the noise is.

That pretty much then leaves noise from the evaporator coil under load.

Probably going to have to push on your dealership service department a little harder. I get most of them are code monkeys but they need a true HVAC tech to look at this.

 

[Jay Johnson]

I don't know much about newer automotive A/C systems. I did mention if it could be a valve when the system is under load on a hot day. Do newer systems use a piston type valve in the evaporator?

 

[Hootbro]

I don't know much about newer automotive A/C systems. I did mention if it could be a valve when the system is under load on a hot day. Do newer systems use a piston type valve in the evaporator?

I think you are describing an expansion or metering valve. Those are usually on the firewall or near it where the lines go in/out.

 

[Jay Johnson]

Some house units have a piston type metering valve. They were sized by the type of refrigerant and size of the evaporator. Same as with cap tube and expansion valves. I've heard them make a clicking sound but not consistently like this. But I'm not sure what the automotive side uses these days.

 

[Jay Johnson]

I watched the video from the 5G forum. Mine is not like that. It's a constant sound. That one sounds like a blend door trying to go back and forth.

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