Wierd sound help!!

[joecrotch]

Hey guys just got back from a road trip. Anyway every time I start it now it makes a weird slapping sound almost like the belt is slapping something. Well i spent like 20 mins just watching the engine trying to figure this out because everything seems fine except the sound and I noticed the AC pump is turning on and off every few seconds, even thought the AC is off. And on top of that every time the C pump comes on is when that sound starts happening. Although the sound is not coming from the AC pump it is actually coming from the alternator area. Anyone dealt with something like this or is the AC pump supposed to be going on and off all the time like that. thanks guys, this problem has me freaked out the wife's car is down so if this breaks we are screwed!

P.S. no codes on OBD yet and no other symptoms besides sound

 

[joecrotch]

I would really appreciate it if someone could just check to see if their AC clutch spins every few seconds even when the AC is off.

 

[toms89]

Do you have the defrost or mix on? Compressor will come on with it. Dehumidifies the air.

Can you video it so we can hear it?

 

[SkyJumper]

I would really appreciate it if someone could just check to see if their AC clutch spins every few seconds even when the AC is off.

The A/C compressor will cycle repeatedly. That is normal, and would think nothing of it.

Have you checked your belt tensioner?

 

[joecrotch]

Thats what I think it might be the tensioner is exactly where the sound is coming from. So Im just gonna replace the belt and tensioner and see what happens. I was just worried that the pump was kicking on and off when it wasn't supposed to.

 

[jbattlesjr]

Hey joecrotch did you get a fix to this issue. I have what sounds like the exact same issue that started this morning while the wife was driving my 98 with the 5.4. My sound seems to be coming more towards the engine rather that any external parts.

It sounds as if maybe a plug or plug wire may have come loose. At least that is what my mechanic seems to think. He is on the way over today. I will shed some light if he finds anything.

 

[jbattlesjr]

Ok. After having the wife stare the truck wile watching the engine, I see it is the second plug on the left(not sure if that is 2 or 3). It is lose and moving while the truck is running. I heard the engines are a b---h to work on so what is the easiest way to get it back in?