A/C Noise When Turning On

Yup they all make some type of noise some more sever then others, I get one but less sever when its on always.

 

There are multiple threads here about noises while engaging the A/C, very true. Complaints about hearing loud noises compared to a shotgun and having your truck suddenly and severely jolt when it engages seems pretty rare here. Can you post a vid of this problem? It might help us diagnose the problem you think you might have.

 

...until someone reports here that they don't have any noise....

 

Can't let facts get in the way of a good thread.

 

Been leaving my ac on when starting and its good no noise, but if I leave my heat on and start it then get a slight grind. Its a funny thing

 

Well there you go, problem solved (partially).

 

No problem

 

So after a few weeks since dealer changed out clutch compressor, with barely 40 miles added since then, the same clunking noise is back. Sigh. Reaching out to corporate to see what can be done. I can’t keep taking it to the dealership every few weeks.

 

Any way you could make a video clip of this clunk?

 

Damnit. Just a bad design

 

Its on YouTube

 

I don't hear a clunk in the two clips posted earlier from YouTube.
I hear more of a compression sound, like the system is charging/pressurizing rapidly.
Maybe it sounds different in person, and there's definitely a noise associated with turning on the AC, but I wouldn't describe what I heard there as a clunk.
If someone could make a video with the camera/mic right by the compressor that might be helpful.

 

https://youtu.be/bwL8vi6pEqo

Mine is more violent but...

 

I can. How do I upload a video from my iPhone in an acceptable video format for this website?

 

Posting to bring the count up of Tundras with this issue. I have a 2019 CM and have had this problem from day one - I’m the OG owner. I’ve left it with the dealer which of course they stated the problem could not be duplicated. All their tests on the AC verified it was functioning correctly. At the very least, it’s now documented. I heard the clunking noise today around 11:30am after it sat overnight. I did let the vehicle warm up before turning the AC on. However, that noise still happened. The noise was loud like everyone has complained about but the occurrence is inconsistent. It’s definitely not something I want to hear but it’s good to know that no major problems have come out of this noise considering the amount of Tundras with this issue. I’ve had other issues with the Tundra which have all been fixed. So hopefully, this one gets fixed as well.

 

These is no fix, I've been researching this endlessly, we have a member here that had the clutch replaced and it came back.

 

I have a 2021 Tundra TRD pro and I have noticed the exact same thing. It appears to happen when I first start the truck and within 30 seconds of the truck starting I press the auto button to turn on the AC. I’ve noticed if I leave the auto AC on when I turn the truck off after driving it and then trying to restart it after a couple of days it does not happen. I can re-create the situation almost every time after my truck sits for a few days with the auto AC off. I’ve been just leaving the auto AC on and it never happens. I’m gonna have the dealership look at it when I take it in for my first 5000 mile maintenance. I’ll let you know if I hear anything.

 

Yes, no fix for it. Leave it on when you turn of your truck seems to be the solution even though its happened to me when I did that once.

 

Just wanted to chime in that I have had this happen today, normally I would leave the Auto AC on when shutting the vehicle down but last Friday was such a nice day I turned it off and drove with the windows down. Started the truck at around noon today and sure enough a loud clanking noise similar to what was shown in a few other videos. Mines a 2021 with the auto AC system and 4300 miles. There seems to be some validity to what others are saying where if you leave your auto AC on the noise does not happen.

I never recalled having this happen with my 2016, maybe it has something to do with the refrigerant change and various new AC parts that go along with that in 2019 and beyond trucks.

 

Never had it happen with my 2008. Only way to not have it happen is to leave it on always.

 

Guess that's what I will be doing then, that or turning it back on before shutting down.

 

Adding to the chorus here. Now that its 90 degrees here, turned on the AC for the first few times in my '21.

Hear a grind and almost feels like the transition studders. Done it in park or while slowly rolling out of a stop, and not cruising down the street at 45mph. Definitely a grind and not a minor clunk like the ABS check.

 

Damn. I drive a new 2021 Crewmax Limited and I’ve definitely noticed this now that summer is here and I turn on the AC all the time. 3,000 miles. I definitely hear a wind/grind/clunk when I press on the AC after the car has been off overnight. If I try to do it after driving to the store it doesn’t come back. Definitely when sitting for a night.

Guess I gotta do what everyone else here is doing and leave the auto on or AC on.

One of those “Tundra” things like the ABS check clunk sound after parking and turning off and on the truck and pulling away. It sounds so ugly though. Tundradude34 has it on his YouTube channel and everyone says it’s the AC solenoid or compressor.... but is it just something you accept as normal? Mine sounds harsh. Ill record it next time.

 

I'll record mine, but it sounds like yours...

I'm going to assume what one other person stated on here, this sound is probably bad and causing premature wear. I'll just leave on the AC/Heater or whatever. Right now I'm in Northern California, it's summer and hot, gets down to about 50s at night, so there is no rain or moisture. It's been consistently 80-100s here the past month and only getting hotter for the summer. I'll do it one more time, but hearing from the guy who got his ac clutch replaced and the noise is still there means that wasn't the issue.

 

Left my 2020 Tundra (under 10,000 miles) at dealership for a week when it was warm last year...The A/C noise was identified and they said they would notify me when the parts came in...Months passed and I wasn't notified (Being COVID time, I didn't want to be a pushy jerk; So I waited patiently)...Parts finally came in and they attempted to fix it...Noise still persisted when I was able to use the A/C again as the weather warmed up this Spring...Took it back to dealer again, and they again replicated the noise...I was told that is was a "Characteristic of the vehicle"...As I also own a 4 Runner (which is great!), I was prepared to drink the Toyota Kool Aid and be a lifetime buyer of Toyota vehicles...I should have just listened to the full size truck reviews as Tundra reviews so poorly...I chose to be brand loyal and now I am stuck with an expensice truck that makes an A/C noise like I no other...Lost confidence in Toyota and will be looking elsewhere as my wife will be getting a new vehicle soon...Think twice before buying a Toyota at this time...Not sure why they are choosing to not fix an obvious problem under warranty...Especially while dealing with loyal customers who purchase expensive vehicles...Buyer beware.

 

it sounds like to me that you’ve been looking for an excuse to just get rid of your truck. Yes, the past few years have what appears to be some kind of AC clutch issue. However, it does not affect performance at all and in my opinion is something very minor. Is it annoying? Yes. But I have confidence that Toyota will come up with a fix for it relatively soon. I will continue to enjoy the reliability that my truck is known for. Hope you find something that you like.

 

I just realized that you specifically created an account just to share this information. This is already a well-known issue by people that have owned these trucks for the last couple of years. It is not a big deal.

 

...Thanks....I wasn't aware of the issue...Never would have bought it if I knew...Always, loved the look of the Tundra, so definitely not wanting to get rid of it...Just warning people to do, better research than I did.

 

Please excuse the extra commas due to fat fingering the keys!....And there was supposed to be a thumbs up emoji to your response, but it didn't show.

 

Is it a problem if it’s just a noise? Mine has done it a couple dizen times in the two years I have owned the truck. It worries me a bit at first, but it does not affect the performance of the a/c one bit. I certainly understand being upset at a loud noise on a brand bee truck but to write off the whole brand because of it seems a bit much