Posted by charlie on June 21, 1999 at 17:00:46:
Just bought 96 Grand Voyager (6/96 manufacture)with 97000 miles, 3.0L engine, 3 spd automatic, not dual air. A/c was dead (light oil all over engine compartment on belt side). Shop said they put seals in the compressor and charged it. That worked (cold), but when the a/c clutch engaged and the rpm was up a little, it would squeal. After a few days, it would squeal even at idle. I watched the clutch engage and appeared that the clutch was slipping, not the belt. (belt looks good and is tight). The shop arrived at the same conclusion. They were going to replace just the clutch, but decided that clutch and compressor should be replaced. They used a "low mileage" compressor, I think from a 1997. That fixed it, no noise at low or high rpm. The only thing I noticed was a slight jerking of the whole van when it would engage. But, after a 2 hour drive, the squeal started again. Developing over 2 additional hours to be a squeal that would last 5 to 10 seconds when rpm was up. Also, the compressor would cycle on/off about every 30 seconds. (medium fan speed and not a hot day.)
Now back in the shop for another diagnosis.
Should there be a jerk noticed while driving at constant highway speeds?
Should it cycle that often?
Any ideas of what to do next for the squeal?
I have owned the van for 2 weeks now.