When I first switch the air-con on of a day, there's a noticable and quite loud "clunk" noise (it's a TJ with the climate control). It sounds like the belts are slapping into action on the compressor. After that first time, if I switch it off and on again it's all smooth and there's virtually no noise. Overall the air-con works perfectly.

I spoke to Mitsu and they said it was normal, but my previous TH never used to do this. I almost hate switching the air-con on after it's been switched off for a while as you can literally hear and feel the clunk.

Is this normal in other people's experience?

Mate i have the EXACT same problem as you massive clunk and a noticable decrease in power ( for a split second) and then all is good it's only when the car is cool ( ie in morning or if i dont drive the car for over 8 - 10 hours )

I have a
02 Series 2 VRX with climate control if this helps


So i also would love to know the answer to this

Cheers

Heath

nah i dont have this problem
just turns on and kicks over smooth

i have the same clunk, pretty sure its just the compressor? kicking over, dunno if its ment to be that violent though.........

The clutch pack has probably worn out.

well i dont know about fencers clunk but mine is enough to make my car shake big time i dont turn my aircon on for at least 30 min of driving cause im scared something is going to fall apart it's that loud.

but when i turn the aircon on again after the clunk all i hear is a little click ( the compressor turning on) and thats it very weird

Cheers

Heath

Aircon's V-belt a little stiff from the cold, maybe?


No noticeable thump when mine comes on 1st time but.

No, the clutch pack isn't worn; had the whole system checked at Mitsu (plus the car isn't that old). After they had a look over it, I just got the usual Mitsu mechanics shrug with the comment "some TJs just do that".

It is a big clunk, and you can feel the car shudder for a split second, but after that everything is perfect. Still, you pause with the finger over the a/c button the first time you switch it on of a day and wait for that evil sound.

Mine does this sometimes too.

Mine does this also.. '02 TJ Sports.

I've actually had the whole clutch assembly replaced as mine packed it in, but even the brand new shiny unit goes clunk when engaging the first time.

Wouldnt worry about it. Its totally normal for that clunk to happen every now and then. You will most likely never hear it again. Would only worry about it if it starts doing it regularly.

I have the same problem also on my 2000 TH Magna. Never used to do that. Turn on the A/C and "CLUNK" there is it. :)

Also, i noticed, when i revv the engine to around 4000rpm, with aircon on, it squeeks. But only with aircon on. I had the belt checked twice and it was ok. I think my compressor clutch is about to go. Maybe that CLUNK is the start of it all? Will get it checked out next service and get it fixed. Will post and let ya's know if it made any difference.

i have this problem as well and have noticed is getting more frequent although sometimes its loud or sometimes is very soft and sometimes is just not there,

I believe its the clutches that are on the way out as i was told by an air con mechainc that this is common problem with the magnas.

Ive also been running the aircon nonstop to see if it changes anything, alot of the time people dont swtich the air con on espicially in winter and then summer comes then turn it on and bang which i think is related with all the oil in the compressor seeping to the bottom and making everything dry elsewhere.

But yes i know take a pause when i got to switch it on the only other thing i do is drive for a little while just after starting and turn it on while accelerating or something, sometimes it makes a difference

I had the exact same problem. Mitsubishi said it was "normal".

this is i guess you could say a 'normal' condition with these vehicles. it is due to the positioning of the compressor vanes and the pressure built up on the drive side of the vanes when the a/c is shut off from last time it was used... sometimes they will do it...others not just depending on where the compressor stops. this is considered 'normal' operation as it is a design characteristic of this particular compressor.

I say **** mitsubishi dealers... ;)

If that is the case MONJUNIOR, then why didn't my car do it in the first 3 years of ownership, but the last 5 months it has??

i knew would ask... :P some vehicles have had the noise from day one and others display it later down the track....a new compressor will not fix the problem...this i know.

this is i guess you could say a 'normal' condition with these vehicles. it is due to the positioning of the compressor vanes and the pressure built up on the drive side of the vanes when the a/c is shut off from last time it was used... sometimes they will do it...others not just depending on where the compressor stops. this is considered 'normal' operation as it is a design characteristic of this particular compressor.

You know alot.... who are you??? and do you have photo's of the "new magna replacement" yet?

i knew would ask... :P some vehicles have had the noise from day one and others display it later down the track....a new compressor will not fix the problem...this i know.
But a new compressor clutch might ;)

just a mech-a-neck.....haha no i dont have pics of the replacement vehicle...what makes you say that....i have hounded mmal for some pics but none thus far.

good thinking but el3ment but lets say you put on a new compressor which comes with a new clutch on it then you have ruled out both components.

we have the same problem in our TH too, scary when you consider how quiet the car drives.

Don't Magna's have a belt lock ECU that reads the revs so as to not kick in like that etc.,

mine does the same thing...
on day i turned it on while driving (just out of my driveway..) and it went clunk... and the engine stalled for a sec and the whole car jolted... and then back to normal...

now days i turn the aircon on ONly while in nuetral....

can't the compressor clutch be changed on its own?

But if that will fix the problem, who cares if it was the clutch or not. Its fixed;)

Yeah the magna's a/c's are ment to be conected to the ECU to stop them from engaging when under full throttle or high revs. Well, my KH compressor will kick in at even 6000rpm flat chat. So much for that theroy.

yes you can replace the comp clutch but do not expect a result...let me know how you go.
the belt lock feature is only used if the compressor will not spin at all...it throws the clutch out so you do not spit the belt off as it runs alt also.
as for the comp engaging at 6 grand....it shouldnt by rights as, like you said family..it should drop it out...so..hmmm, maybe there is hassle in youre vehicle.

cheers