EVERYTIME I turn it on, It's like a friction-based rumbling...drowns out road noise and my stereo at low volume..its that loud. When I turn it off, it takes another 2 seconds for the rumbling to fade away as if a fan is rubbing against something else, and the friction eventually stops it. It happens with the AC button on or the AC button off.. so it's when I turn on the fan. Anyone else have this issue? Anyway for me to check on it without the 2-week waiting period with my dealer? Thanks--

 

Maybe the clutch on the air conditioner going bad. Common problem. Take it back if ur under warrenty.

 

If you get the same noise whether the a/c button is on or off, then it is hard to see how it could be the clutch. But there is an easy test: with the engine stopped but the ignition key in the ON position, turn on the fan. If you hear the noise without the engine running then it is not the a/c clutch or anything to do with the compressor. On the other hand, if you hear the noise only when the engine is running, that does point to a problem with the clutch or internal to the compressor. (The a/c button is interlocked with the fan switch so that it will not activate the clutch unless the fan is also switched on, so there is no easy way to test the compressor without the fan also running.)

Perhaps you have picked up a stone or an acorn or other foreign object in the blower. To remove it you will have to remove the blower. I just took a quick look at this and it looks easy once you remove the glovebox and the lower trim on the passenger side. (The blower is above the passenger-side footwell.) If you have replaced the cabin air filter then you know what I'm talking about. If you have not, then just beware that you must not disconnect any yellow electrical connectors or you will trigger the airbag fault warning light.

Once you get the blower out, you will be able to remove any debris. If you don't find anything, then you will want to try running the blower to see whether the noise is a bad bearing or worn-out brushes. Maybe it will be enough just to turn the blower by hand, or you might have to hook up the power. If you do that, do not run it for more than just a second or two because the resistor pack will not have the proper cooling air flow when the blower is removed and it will overheat quite quickly. The motor will have a considerable reaction torque when it starts on the higher speed settings - you should expect that and be careful not to let it twist out of your hand.