Why is my air conditioner in my 2000 solora making a noise?

Answer 1

Of course, without hearing the noise, I can not be specific, however, the most likely cause is the clutch bearing wearing out. This will likely sound like a whine that changes with engine speed. You may even have thought it was first coming from the transmission. To check, drive with the AC off, then turn it on making sure it's turned to the lowest (COLD) setting. If you hear a whine, or maybe it's now worse than that when you hit the AC button, it's probably the clutch. You will likely have to replace the whole compressor. If the noise is new, and only a whine at this point, you may be able to drive it for a long time, but there's no way to be sure. If the bearing gets worse, it could lock up and break the drive belt that goes around the AC and the Alternator, leaving you stranded in a short time when the battery dies.