Question:

Hi,      My 1997 Explorer makes a clicking noise when I’m idle that doesn’t sound right to me.    It sounds like it comes from under the car rather than the engine, and it causes the engine to rev up a little bit, till it comes back down to a certain level and clicks again.      I’m new to this group and appreciate any info. Greg

Response:

Sounds like the a/c compressor cycling on/off… Dan

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, >      My 1997 Explorer makes a clicking noise when I’m idle that doesn’t > sound right to me.    It sounds like it comes from under the car rather than > the engine, and it causes the engine to rev up a little bit, till it comes > back down to a certain level and clicks again. >      I’m new to this group and appreciate any info. > Greg

Response:

This sounds like an A/C compressor cycling on and off. If you have the defroster on, it will do this….

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->      My 1997 Explorer makes a clicking noise when I’m idle that doesn’t > sound right to me.    It sounds like it comes from under the car rather than > the engine, and it causes the engine to rev up a little bit, till it comes > back down to a certain level and clicks again.

Response:

I know exactly what you’re talking about.  My ‘97 Sport SOHC V6 and my ‘99 XLT SOHC V6 both did the same thing.  The air conditioning is not running.  I don’t know what is causing it. Erik ‘99 XLT SOHC V6

Response:

I have a 1998 XLT and it does the same thing.  My friend 1999 Ranger does it too.  I brought it into the shop and they said it was normal. It’s the compressor cycling.  I asked them if they can do something to make it a bit less noisey.  They said "nope". I brought the car to 2 dealers. Turn the radio up a notch.  :-) > Hi, >      My 1997 Explorer makes a clicking noise when I’m idle that doesn’t > sound right to me.    It sounds like it comes from under the car rather than > the engine, and it causes the engine to rev up a little bit, till it comes > back down to a certain level and clicks again. >      I’m new to this group and appreciate any info. > Greg

Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

> Hi, >      My 1997 Explorer makes a clicking noise when I’m idle that doesn’t > sound right to me.    It sounds like it comes from under the car rather than > the engine, and it causes the engine to rev up a little bit, till it comes > back down to a certain level and clicks again. >      I’m new to this group and appreciate any info. > Greg

  My 97 Explorer does it while the AC is running.  There will be a click followed by a short drop in rpm and back up to normal.  It is very normal regardless what the dealer shop says.

Response:

>   My 97 Explorer does it while the AC is running.  There will be a click > followed by a short drop in rpm and back up to normal.  It is very not > normal regardless what the dealer shop says.

It is normal.  You compressor cycles on and off constantly when the AC is in use – it’s more noticeable at idle though.

Response:

The clicking noise is the air conditioning compressor clutch engaging and disengaging the compressor.  The RPM’s drop due to the increase in load on the engine.  My /94 XL does it too.  Although you may not have the AC on when this occurs, a pressure switch is "telling" the compressor to run to maintain the pressures in the system.  This may be annoying, however it beats the alternative which is getting a refrigerant recharge every summer. You see, a packing seal on the compressor shaft is pretty much all that’s keeping the refrigerant in your system and it requires refrigerant oil to keep it pliable.  With the compressor cycling now and again, you won’t have to worry much about losing any refrigerant.  Remember people having to take their vehicles to the shop because the air conditioning wasn’t working? Most times they had to get the system recharged as the packing seal had dried out and leaked.  Also, if you listen to other vehicles closely, you can here the ac compressors cycling on and off as well. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->  My 97 Explorer does it while the AC is running.  There will be a click >followed by a short drop in rpm and back up to normal.  It is very not >normal regardless what the dealer shop says.

Response: