They should be able to use a reed tach type device to measure the cycles of the vibration at a given RPM. At that point you can just use math to figure out what is spinning at the speed. The reason I asked about the Ipod is because there is a vibration App that will do the same thing.

 

^Thanks Gorn, what's the app called?

 

Update from the shop is the noise is isolated to the compressor, not from anything else, so I created a case with Chevrolet and AC Delco since this is the 2nd compressor exhibiting the same behavior. The shop will need to followup with both companies. These are remanufactured parts, so my guess is there was something overlooked in that rebuild process.

 

Update from the shop is that their case opened with GM says that this is "normal" for this car. What a crock. Disappointed in the lackluster attention to quality from GM and their service shops. There is nothing normal about this sound.

 

I kind figured you would get that. No one is putting effort into trouble shooting a obsolete design. Heck I have seen that type of answer from a lot worse then a noisy compressor. I had one customer who traded in a 2 year old Astro van on a new Astro van. The new van had a vibration on acceleration the old one did not. We still had his trade in and he shows it to the GM rep. GM rep still said the vibration was within the acceptable level and the Van preformed as designed. His comment is just because one is super smooth that does not mean every one is super smooth.

If you think the other car companies don't do stuff like that you are mistaken. I had a friend that had a nightmare with Honda, after two year he gave up but when he tried to trade at the dealer he bought it from they would not give Kelly trade in value because they knew about the cars "issues" and they where going to have to take it to the auction. He had to take the car to non-Honda dealer to trade it in.

 

^ Funny thing is people are having all kinds of the same noises on 5th Gen Camaros too!

i.e.: A/C Whining Noise - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums - Camaro5.com
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http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99237
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TBS on Belt Noise - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums - Camaro5.com
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Noisy AC compressor after only 4500 miles - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums - Camaro5.com
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QC missed something-- AC Compressor making a whining noise under engine load - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums - Camaro5.com

 

Well I have installed a lot of compressors. At the hottest part of the summer is was not uncommon to do 2 a day. On a scale of 1 to 10. 1 being "I can't hear it run" and 10 being "I am afraid to open the hood with that running" I would say compressor noise varies from 3-6 when new.

I cannot hear my Ebay compressor inside the car, but I have 200K on my 3800 so ther may be other noises masking it

 

I think I found the AC wine, notice this alternator, one of the bolts holes on the housing part is broken off!!**With belt off the alternator makes a bearing squeak sound too when I rotate it… My theory is that this is all related, as this would throw off the belt alignment.


Can someone here please verify if they have this 3rd alternator mounting bolt on theirs? Looks like mine was snapped off!

 

I don't recall exactly what mine looks like (02 V6) but I've got 3 mounting bolts.

 

yes, thats the 3rd mount.