A/C Noise When Turning On

I just bought a 2019 Tundra (5.7 SR 5 crew 4x4) about 2.5 weeks ago (About 600 miles so far) and have had a random/weird occurrence on two occasions after starting the truck fir the first time that day and turning on the air conditioner. The vehicle is parked outside.

The first time it did it was about a week ago. The truck had sat about 36 hours. After starting the truck and it running for about a minute I turned the AC on and heard what sounded like the belt slipping as it engaged. It’s not a squeal and it’s hard to describe what it sounds like. The second time it did it was this afternoon after sitting since Sunday. I wish I could describe the noise better but it’s clearly something with the belt engaging after I turn the AC on. I live in Florida and on both occasions the night before was cold and wet (near freezing first night and a freeze and frost last night) but the vehicle wasn’t started until the afternoon. Both times the sound happened for about a second and then everything is normal. Like I said it’s not a squeal it’s more of a rub or like if you drug a tire across tile floor or something. After each occurrence everything worked fine and it didn’t happen again that day.

My thoughts and the dealerships are that it’s moisture causing the issue. However I’ve never had the issue with any other Toyota’s or other vehicles I’ve owned. I made an appointment with the dealership for next week but was curious if anyone had experienced this or could provide any insight.

- Mike

ETA, I searched quite a bit before posting but didn’t find anything similar.

 

Welcome from Sin City.

Sorry you're having terrible with your brand new truck. Mines never made any nose

 

Dealership took a look and couldn’t recreate it or find anything. We haven’t had anymore cold weather for them to recreate the problem. I did notice a similar noise when turning on the AC after the truck has sat for a couple days. It’s more noticeable with high moisture/humidity. It seems to me the compressor engaging the belt is very abrupt.

Anyone else notice anything similar?

 

I noticed my truck doing this too. After it sits for a couple days. When I first turn on the ac it makes a noise as the op said. Was there a fix to this? It is hard to recreate. Without leaving the truck sitting around for a few days. It’s made this noise twice on me. Oh I have a 2019 SR5 Crewmax.

 

It’s less obvious now but still does it after it sits a few days. I don’t know if the warmer weather has made it less obvious or what. I haven’t felt like leaving it with the dealer and it hasn’t caused any issues so I’m not too worried.

 

I've had a noise a few times and it really sounded like shit....only way to describe it is "clunky-Ish"....

 

Mine does it every now and again when the truck is idling high and I turn on the ac. No biggy. One thing I’ve learned is that these are noisy trucks. Clunky brakes, ABS self check, ticking diesel noises, etc... just think of it as the sound of reliability.

 

I had a 2014 limited tundra crew max trd, then a ‘16, and now a ‘19. AC clunks makes terrible noise every time it comes on for first time in a day. If I’m driving I can’t notice it so only when I’m parked and turn it on for first time. Can actually almost feel it. Just figured I’d let it break it’s under warranty ‍♂️

 

I’ve got a 2019 Tundra Ltd. that is only 6 months old and makes the same squealing/ clunking noise when the A/C is turned on initially in the morning. It only happens when the truck sits idle for at least a day.
I tried just starting the truck with the A/C switch turned on, it made no difference. Only if the truck sits a day or more.
Tried letting the engine warm up and the idle reduce and the noise gets to be a noticeable clunk when engaging. This is my 3rd. Generation 2 Tundra and my others had no problem.
I think this is not a moisture problem - hasn’t rained down south in weeks.
I spun the compressor pulley by hand when the engine was cold and it feels like there is no binding.

 

My '18 has done it since new as well. Only first time a/c gets turned on after truck has sat overnite or longer. Wont do the clunk/noise if it is driven a mile or 2 before turning on a/c.

 

Has anyone found a fix for this AC noise issue ?

 

It almost has to be a compressor clutch issue. It is wierd tho, only on the first time a/c is cycled on. Also if the a/c is on when truck is started, no noise, can immediatly turn a/c off and back on and again no noise. I have no faith in my dealership so I have not worried about it, I have almost 60k on the '18 now and if it breaks later I will repair it.

 

My new 2019 sport with 1600 miles has the same ac issue described here.
Does it after sitting over night. Told dealer about it, and when it happens and the
mechanic who always works on my truck went on the lot and started a new tundra and it made
the noise mine does. So now it's documented and he's going to pursue it through the proper channels.

 

My truck 2011 4.6 makes all kinds of noise when it's cold. Sounds like the fan runs for about 30 seconds and also one of the tensioner complains. It stops after a min or so. I think it's just one of the things that the tundras do. Anyone have a Lexus? Does it do the same thing?

 

Tundra 65 - it would be great if you posted what Toyota did or is doing to fix this AC starting noise issue

 

The mechanic just heard the ac noise today 6/5/19, so it's in the very early stages of figuring out
what they will do. I will relay any information i get.

 

My 18 did this for the first month or so then it went away. Maybe it just has to wear in.

 

I'm assuming what you are hearing (as a new owner) is not the ABS breaking system energizing???
Just checking...

 

No, this is quite different than the abs self test clunk.

 

Hey TUNDRA 65 - how’s that AC noise diagnosis coming ?

 

Talked to my service tech a few days ago and he hasn't heard anything yet from toyota.
The AC noise I've been experiencing has subsided for the last six starts. Now that I've jinxed
myself for saying that, I'm sure it will come back. Hope not. I will keep on it though.

 

Sounds like Toyota has had a sufficient amount of time to respond to your problem. I wonder what’s up

 

No word yet from dealer. I haven't been pushing the issue. I do know the service tech said, they would probably
want to keep my truck and monitor the situation and maybe take the ac unit out to look at it. Not looking forward to that.
I got ocd when it comes to the truck. Right now the ac works fine. I am going to try and get them to check out a new one
off the lot, because I heard the same noise when the service tech and I started one of them just to see if it did it also.
I am wondering if anyone else that has this issue, has any info on it??

 

Same issue here
2019 dc 5.7
If truck sets for more than 2 days and it’s started and air conditioning is turned on.

As soon as a/c clutch engages it makes a very notice noise for 1-2 seconds

My thinking is liquid refrigerant migrates to compressor and noise is similar to “piston slap” even though it has swash plates

only have 500 miles on truck
Gonna watch a see if it clears up or self destructs

 

Freonjohn,

My 2019 Ltd. since October of 2018, has now got 2100 miles and after
2 days or more of sitting, I get the same noise. No better or worse.
The only option I have to eliminate the noise is to let the engine warmup for a while, and then engage the AC switch. Then I get a normal “click”
Noise as I should.

When I mentioned this problem at the dealer, they said they could not repeat this problem.

I know by now I do not have the only new Tundra with this problem.

 

Hey fellas,

I'm not surprised but am glad that I have fellow Tundra owners who have the same issue. I have a 2018 with roughly 12,000 on it.

Can we agree it is normal? Haha.

 

New to the forum. 2018 crewmax with 9k miles, same a/c noise when first turning on after sitting overnight, otherwise works as it should. Doubt dealer will be of much help but we'll see

 

Wow I thought I was the only one. I talked to the dealer and they want to keep it for a couple of day since it only does it when it's sitting for a couple of days. Haven't had time to take it.

 

I have the same issue when my 2018 sits for afew days and the AC is turned on it makes a pretty loud "clunk" sound!! AC works fine but it is a terrible noise

 

My 2019 Tundra’s A/C compressor is constantly cycling on and off, much more than my 2011 Tundra. I know it uses the new Freon 1234yf.
This condition seems to be not related to the outside temperature - same condition at 75 degrees or 95 degree New Orleans weather.

Took it to the dealer where they hooked a computer to the OBD port and showed me that the compressor ran until the evaporator temp reached 33.5 degrees and shut off. They said it seemed to be operating OK.

Sure is cycling a lot - anybody else have this problem ?