Need some help from the TL family on what this could be. On my 2002 Type S the AC has developed a sound that sounds like its letting off steam. I hear this noise in the morning on startup and while driving which comes on for a second then stops. Also when I turn it off the sound is there for about 2-3 seconds. Is this normal. Any ideas on what could be causing this?

Thanks NOISE

 

I think this is normal...I believe this was talked about before...
It happens to me too...

 

Off steam???
Can it be the A/C fan???

 

Its not the AC fan, that's the first thing I checked out. It kinda sounds like a "shhhh sound". Not sure how else to describe it

 

thats the compressor, when its cooling, or compressing it makes that sound...tottaly normal, when your a$$ gets to sweatin, go see somebody...Shyne

 

A/C compressor sounds right!

 

Ok i was worried about that too -- when I test drove my TL, I heard it twice on the HIghway... LIke a quiet HISSSSSSSSS
from the passenger side in the dash or something

 

It's the A/C system bleeding off (equalizing) pressure when the compressor cycles off. It's perfectly normal.

This pressure equlaization is done so that when the compressor reengages it does so gently and then rebuilds that pressure. If the system did not do this, the compressor would try to engage while the system is still fully pressurized. Not only would this damage the compressor in short order but think of the strain on the belt and other mechanics under the hood connected to the belt. Think of it as similar to do doing a neutral drop with your automatic trans (Put car in neutral, rev to 5K and kick it into drive. Don't try this on your own car, you will break something!). Ouch!

Not to mention how the driver would be affected by an instantaneous loss of 15-20% of HP.