I have searched the forums in an attempt to find an answer, but either the situation did not match mine or an answer was not posted. Sorry if this is long winded, but I want to give you all of the info I know.

My situation: 2003 Maxima, manual a/c controls

Whenever I turn my a/c on, I get this horrible squeaking noise like something is about to go out. I used to blame it on the Memphis humidity, but I have no clue as it has gotten progressively worse.

The sound seems to come from my dash, behind the glove box somewhere. It used to only make this noise when I set the a/c on the highest setting, now it doesn't matter. I determined today that blowing just the fan (a/c button not pressed) still produces the same sound. I also found that when I make hard turns, the sound dissipates for a few seconds, but then returns.

I took out my glove box, checked and cleaned the air filters. I also vacuumed out the area where the filters sit thinking I had a bunch of crap in there, but I didn't.

The air is still blowing out cold. I do know that my accessory belts need changing and I am hoping that will fix the issue, but I’m assuming that it's more than that. I recorded the sound and it may be a little hard to hear (from cell phone), but please listen and let me know what you all think.

http://www.mediafire.com/?luld2ytl3eo

QuickTime can play the file, but I am not sure about other media players. In the clip, I go through settings 1-4 on my a/c and then back to 1 with the sound screeching through each one.

Thanks everyone!

 

First I'd replace the belt, make certain it's very tight and go from there. Classic example of a belt that's not tight enough. As the comprsesor kicks on it creates added resistance on the belt. Belt too loose it slips around the compressor, hence the noise.
It's a start. If the PS belt is old do it also.

 

Thanks! I will replace those this week and post the results (hopefully good ones...)

But i am curious, what if changing the belts does nothing and i still hear the noise?

 

i had same exact symptoms, blower motor

 

how big of an ordeal is replacing the blower motor? possible to do it at home with standard toolkit?

 

Well, don't what to say if you can't tell the difference if the noise is coming from inside the car or under the hood. Should be simple to detect. When the noise is audible lift the hood and listen, then open the passenger side door and lay under the dash.

 

Horrable recording...
Does the squeal change with engine RPM? If so then it's either a lose drive belt or the compressor is shot. If it doesn't change with engine RPM then it might be the blower motor.

 

Pull the blower fuse and check for the noise.

 

Could be several things.

-blower motor
-belt
-pulley
-compressor
-the rubber ring on the crank pulley could be going bad-had that happen on my 626, thought I had a compressor going out until the rubber ring and outer ring seperated themselves from the crank pulley.

 

Thanks everyone. I think that is coming from just the inside, but i will double check and post what i find out.

 

i vote blower motor too... from experience

 

Mine was squeaking for a while but it randomly went away..Never had any other problems

 

***UPDATE***(to all that care...)

Prior to changing out my accessory belts, temperature has calmed down a bit where i live and don't use the A/C as much. And when i do turn it on, i hear nothing. Dunno...

Anywho....i discovered that i had a crack in my radiator (noticed a slightly raised operating temp during cooler weather and the smell of coolant for 2 weeks with no leak...)....got the radiator replaced as well as my accessory belts.

Now, i have another problem that i may post outside of this of this one with a different title...when i am making a semi-fast, sharp turn turn to the right when getting on the interstate, i am hearing a quickfire thud like noise...

The only way to describe it is like when you roll your tongue when saying spanish words that begin with the letter "R".... it makes that noise until i come out of the turn and go straight. What cha think?