A/C Compressor Noise

To some of us, summertime means ragtops, pool parties, sun block and barbecues. But I know from experience, summer's heat can mean something different to technicians in the shop - never enough shop fans and salt tablets, vehicle interiors so hot you could cook a steak on the dashboard and endless A/C system repairs. While I can't help you with the shop fan shortage, salt tablet dosage, or strange culinary rituals, I can give you a couple of quick tips that may help with some of those tiresome A/C repairs. Grab a glass of lemonade and read on.

The first tech tip involves the 1993 Dodge® Intrepid® and its MOPAR relatives, the 1993 Chrysler® Concorde® and Eagle® Vision®. Also included on the list, are the 1994 LHS® and New Yorker®. All are using the 3.5-liter V6.

An air conditioning compressor noise, described as a "resonating tone", "moan" and "low whistle", peaks at approximately 2100 engine RPM. It's not perceptible at other RPM ranges. The noise is especially noticeable after the compressor clutch has been engaged or cycling for approximately five minutes and although annoying, the noise does not represent a durability concern. The repair involves adding a damper weight to the A/C suction hose.

NOTE: Replacing the compressor will not reduce this noise.


1. Raise vehicle on a suitable hoist.

2. Attach the damper weight, using the hose clamp, around the rubber portion of the suction hose one inch from the rear crimp. PARTS REQUIRED:
Damper Weight - 39G5264445
Hose Clamp - 39G2448763

Heater/AC Housing Water Ingestion
This second tech tip covers these 1993 - 1997 Chrysler® product models: Concorde®, Intrepid®, Vision®, LHS®, New Yorker® with the 3.5 liter V6 power plant. Good old H2O entering the vehicle interior at the base of the instrument panel on the passenger side, and/or droplets exiting the panel outlets during heavy rain or a car wash is what this tech tip addresses. The fix involves enlarging the right plenum drain hole by performing the following procedure.

1. Raise the vehicle on a suitable hoist.

2. Remove the two rear-most screws from the right front plastic wheel well splash shield and pull down to allow access to the plenum drain hole.


3. Enlarge the drain hole 20 mm toward the front of the vehicle, as indicated, by using a suitable metal cutting tool (die grinder, air chisel).

4. Apply Mopar touch-up paint or equivalent sealer to any exposed bare metal.

5. Install the wheel well splash shield.

 And there you have it. Two tips that can save diagnostic time on a few of those A/C jobs you'll be wading through this summer. To you, the technician, neither job is very difficult to accomplish. But to the customer, they are problems that can be very exasperating and I'm sure they will be grateful you had the expertise to correct them. Ready for another glass of lemonade?

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