Hissing/ air release sound has been asked about before without a definitive answer even when people had in for service, well last night I spent some quaility time with my Pony and found out what that noise was.

on mine at least (for sure) it is just the A/C compressor clutch engaging and disengaging, in a very quite (1AM) enviroment I was under the hood adjusting head lights when car was runing w/ A/C on and PISSST the clutch disengaged, looked with flash light and confirmed (compressor is on lower right of engine)

inside the car when this happens (more if your windows are down and sound bounces of a high curb like when crusing the strip) it does sound like a release of hi pressure air but up close to compressor it is just a metalic sound

this is one less thing we have to worry about, hope this helps

 

yea i figured it had something to do with it , either to release pressure or water out of the system.....

 

werked, to clarify

the noise is just a loud A/C compressor clutch (an elctro mecanical switch to turn on or off compressor) all cars w/ A/C have one

it sure is loud though!

 

i know what you mean... i was just stating what my idea of the sound was...

 

I knew it was something to do with the A/C. I'm glad it's just the clutch. Thanks Ford! A quality part!

 

Sorry, didn't meen to sound snooty with that comment

 

over's GT - Thank you for confirming it! I read the posts suggesting it's the AC clutch, but this is a first official confiramtion I saw. This sound sure is annoying. I get to hear it 2-3 times a minute sometimes, depending on what my AC settings are.

 

no problem

 

you never know, the noise could get worse or better with time, for me I can deal with it now that I know the a/c is not leaking out something at random times

it just adds character, like having to slam my hood and explaining to people that I'm not mad!

 

yea i know i was thinking the same thing why in the world must you slam the hood to get it to close.

 

because, I have a car that the hood does not flop in the wind above 80 MPH (has been up to 145 w/ no shake)

I think Ford adusted latch or something on later production cars to solve the "HOOD SHAKE" problem

again, I can live with it

 

had almost all of my cars make a similar nose for a similar reason....HOWEVER....except for a 1988 Plymouth Voyager...this is the loudest I have ever heard

Jay

 

I think I have this. It happens every 10 to 15 secs, but it doesn't sound like air escaping or hissing. It sounds like a pebble was kicked up under my car. Like a metallic clicking noise.

Is there a TSB for this or anything that can be done? It's kinda loud and passengers notice it...=(

 

I do not believe there is a TSB. If you find one let me and everyone else know

 

there is no TSB on this since it is not an issue. That is what the clutch does.

 

Would anyone describe this noise like glass cracking under strain? I keep hearing this noise, but all of my glass is fine. It sounds like its coming from the passengers side. It may sound different since its a vert. Any thoughts?

 

hmm, to me it's really metal clicking/hissing noise. One way to test is to turn off your AC and see if sound goes away.