[rivercitysaab]

I posted earlier on this subject but haven't heard too much in the way of possible reasons for noise. I have a rattle coming from the left front when at idle and the clutch out. The noise is not very loud at all until I turn on the a/c unit and then it's VERY loud. Noise is also loud in first gear and then tends to go away in 2nd at higher RPM's.

Is there any connection between the transmission clutch and the a/c? If so how? I have to talk to the dealer tomorrow and decide if I'm going to shell out $1500 for a new clutch when I"m not convinced it is the problem.

By the way, I'm have no clutch problems when shifting up or down in or out of gears including reverse.

 

[JMarkert]

Huh, that is weird. As far as I know, there is absolutely no connection between the two, other than they are both connected to the same engine.

I could see something or other maybe vibrating more when the ac is on, but the clutch out thing is kind of puzzling.

One remote thing to consider is that the radiator fan comes on with the ac, and it's sort of to the left. I wonder if there's something interfering with it that's somehow connected to the clutch cable/lever arm. Seems pretty far fetched, but at leas you're post will get a bump

 

[DougR]

I have noticed that I get a rattle that sounds like it is coming from just inside the left front when I have my A/C on as well. I am interested in this as well. I have tried to figure out what it is, but cannot seem to find anything that would make that sound. I have not checked whether it is dependent on clutch position though.

 

[rivercitysaab]

Yeah! Finally someone else with this problem. JMarket you are on to something when you say it sounds like the radiator fan hitting something. It does sound like a loose shroud or similar as it is more of a dull plastic sort of rattle and not metallic like metal hitting metal.

DougR the sound goes away when I push in the clutch. I'm sure this is why the mechanic is trying to get me to replace the clutch disc. How long has your's been making this noise?

Also, I might add the car is a 2001 9-3 SE 'vert with 19,972 miles on the odo. I can't believe it's the clutch with such low miles.

 

[DougR]

THis is on an 02 SE with 60k on the clock. I have been slightly aware of it, but not overly concerned as it just sounded like something rattling, but was not coming from the pulley area. I will give it a look tomorrow and see if I can locate what is going on.

 

[earthworm]

Whatever you do, river city, don't go to the dealer and say, "I have xxxxxxx problem, so replace the clutch".

Only an honest dealer will test/diagnoses, let you know what is really wrong and repair without cheating.. There are not enough of these people around..

I have know costumers request that something be done, and insist that they are right - so the job is done and they are out that sum of money..
A crying shame !

And with such low mileage, maybe the warranty still applies...
The problem (strictly a guess) could be a AC compresser clutch.

 

[DougR]

I really don't think it is the clutch, since the noise is not near that area at all. I had my AC clutch bearing fail, and this is not the same noise, and not from the same area.

 

[DougR]

Ok, I just checked mine out

I am having the exact same issue. The noise goes away if I depress the clutch. I got out a flashlight and tried to listen, but it is very hard to determine where the noise is coming from, but it does seem to be coming from the area of the transmission and the clutch. It sounds like a tapping sound.

Taking a look at the AC compressor I do not see the clutch pulley moving at all to indicate a bad bearing, and the noise is on the other side.

The only thing I can think of is that something is moving when the clutch is depressed and there is some sort of contact made with the compressor making the clanking noise?

The noise seems to be in the vacinity of where the compressor comes close to the tranny on the drivers side (US) of the car.

Any more ideas?

I never listened to it as closely as I did tonight, it is a really nasty noise.

edit:

did just want to say that I reread your post and I cannot hear the noise while in my car, and can barely hear it unless I put my ear up to the drivers side fender. Im sure it's just a matter of time till it's louder though.

But as a start, what if anything physically moves in the engine bay when the tranny clutch is depressed?

 

[earthworm]

There is a motor in the left front of the car, below the area of the left headlight.

It is an air pump for pollution control (air injection), but, I believe, for na(naturally aspirated) cars only.. Sound travels, it takes a lot of expertise to locate its source... and good hearing..

Try a stethoscope

 

[rivercitysaab]

I don't really know enough about the mechanical workings of my car...yet, but I did take a look and couldn't see anything moving around either.

Earthworm, I didn't ask the dealer to replace my clutch and believe me I'm not going to give them any ideas. All I did is take it in for the 20K service and asked them look into the noise that gets louder with the a/c compressor on and goes away when I press on the clutch. My service manager was out on Friday and had someone else call me with the update. She said the mechanic said "the clutch disc needs replacing" and it's not covered under my warranty as it is a wearable item. The total to complete the repair is $1584.00." I told her I would wait and speak with the person who was handling my service ticket when he returns on Monday.

The car is 2nd hand to me but the five year/40,000 miles warranty (or is that 4/40?) is good until 9/2006. The 20K service is still covered under the 3/36 included scheduled maintance program that transfers with the car.

I'm hoping for the best. However, if they do come back again and say it the clutch they are going to have to prove it to me. I want them to show me how it can ONLY be the clutch and nothing else. I just don't think it has anything to do with the clutch being bad since it doesn't have any symptons of going out.

I really do hope it's just something minor and they will detect it with a little more effort.

 

[DougR]

These are both turbo cars, so I guess it rules out that motor for now.

 

[rivercitysaab]

Doug,
Do you have the ACC? I few other people I've run into with this problem either had the ACC or they Viggens. Not sure if that's just coincidental.

 

[DougR]

I really don't think it is the clutch. Why the hell would it only make the noise when the AC is on. If it was a clutch issue you would always have the noise. Could be the AC compressor clutch/compressor sure, but not the clutch. Who knows I could be eating humble pie on this one, but I doubt it.

And yes, I do have ACC.

So you have run into other people with this problem? Did anyone have it resolved?

 

[rivercitysaab]

That is my concern, I can't seem to find anyone who has, or had, the problem and has solved it.

I found this thread. The problem sounds similar. What do you think?

http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20363&highlight=clutch+noise

 

[DougR]

I have searched through a lot of threads and not found an exact match.

Not sure about that last thread, since it does not address pushing in the clutch. Has anyone had this sound for a long time? Has their AC ever died?

To me it is not the AC pulley bearing, that is a totally different sound. And no matter what, what we need to target is why it stops when the clutch is depressed.

 

[rivercitysaab]

I agree and will continue my search. Hopefully someone will chime in here and solve the mystery. Until then, I don't think I'm going to replace the clutch until I know for sure it is the problem. Plus, I miss my car. I only had it two days before I took it in for service...and it's been there for over a week now. It's time for it to come home.

 

[DougR]

Just as a note. I have had this sound for at least 2 months, and it has not become noticably louder. This is why it was just something I lived with, since with windows up I cannot hear it, and with windows down I don't have AC on. And the sound gets swollowed up with the other noises of fans and engine sounds, unless I am standing right next to the fender on the drivers side.

 

[JMarkert]

Good luck gentlemen, this is just too weird! You both have the hydraulic clutch, right? I could almost make up a theory about the bracket that holds the clutch cable rattling sympathetically when the ac compressor is on, and changing depending on where the clutch pedal is, but it won't work for the hydraulic system.

 

[DougR]

Mine is hydraulic, and I assume his is too.

We could always wait till something falls out of the bottom of the engine bay, that should solve it.

Oh, and I have a new theory...I rest this at the feet if the DIC

 

[JMarkert]

Oh, and I have a new theory...I rest this at the feet if the DIC

Makes as much sense as anything else