AC noise 2013 Hybrid whirring noise coming from AC motor?

[Errol Ikalina]

Hi Everyone,

My first post here, just bought a certified pre-owned 2013 Fusion Hybrid about 2 weeks ago and I am very pleased with the car and the gas savings that it allows. I have a 2014 Honda Pilot Touring and the difference in gas consumption is huge! Needless to say the Pilot has now taken a back seat and I drive the Hybrid most of the time. Since this is my first hybrid, I don't know if this is actually a problem. I noticed once a switch on the car and the ac I can hear a loud whirring sound coming from the right side of the hood.

The sound is quite loud but when I switch off the ac, it completely disappears. The sound stays for maybe between 2 to 5 minutes sometimes longer and calms down to a reasonable volume after that. Is this normal? I'll try and upload a video so y'all can have a better idea.

 

Thanks.

[aschulz261]

That is most likely the AC compressor. Since it is a variable speed compressor, when you first turn it on, it runs at full speed. It can get kind of loud, but after a couple of minutes it slows down and gets a lot quieter.

[lolder]

It's the AC compressor. It can draw several hp.. It can significantly lower your mpg on short trips with a heat soaked interior. Leave it off for a few blocks and drive with all the windows open. Park in the shade, Use a windshield sun shade.

[hybridbear]

Hi Everyone,

My first post here, just bought a certified pre-owned 2013 Fusion Hybrid about 2 weeks ago and I am very pleased with the car and the gas savings that it allows. I have a 2014 Honda Pilot Touring and the difference in gas consumption is huge! Needless to say the Pilot has now taken a back seat and I drive the Hybrid most of the time. Since this is my first hybrid, I don't know if this is actually a problem. I noticed once a switch on the car and the ac I can hear a loud whirring sound coming from the right side of the hood.

The sound is quite loud but when I switch off the ac, it completely disappears. The sound stays for maybe between 2 to 5 minutes sometimes longer and calms down to a reasonable volume after that. Is this normal? I'll try and upload a video so y'all can have a better idea.

 

Thanks.

Often conventional cars don't have a variable speed AC compressor, the hybrids do. This improves hybrid efficiency. It is an electric compressor and not a belt driven one like your Pilot likely has. It is quite loud when it is pulling a lot of amps. On the MyView screen you can display how many kW of power are going to the "Climate" which means the compressor. You should see a correlation between the noise level and kW of power going to the compressor. If you have MFT you can also see this on the Power Flow screen based on how big the blue circle is going to "Climate".

[Errol Ikalina]

Thanks for the replies guys, glad to hear that it's normal. I was beginning to think that the ac was getting ready to pack up, with summer around the corner I was getting worried.

 

Thanks again.

[SteveB_TX]

It's the AC compressor. It can draw several hp.. It can significantly lower your mpg on short trips with a heat soaked interior. Leave it off for a few blocks and drive with all the windows open. Park in the shade, Use a windshield sun shade.

How, exactly, does an ELECTRIC A/C compressor "draw several hp"? Curious minds would like to know! :)

Edited April 25, 2015 by SteveB_TX

[lolder]

I'm not sure what your question is. It runs off the HVB and draws a lot of power, a few kilowatts at peak demand. One hp. is 746 w.

All automotive AC compressors take a lot of power to run at peak including the belt driven ones.

They are made by Denso, a Japanese parts manufacturer. The high voltage variable frequency voltage needed to drive them is produced from the HVB dc voltage by an inverter. The design of the 2013+ model compressor is different from the 2010-12. It is smaller and the inverter is more integrated.

I hope they're durable as they cost about $1300 !

Edited April 25, 2015 by lolder

[klatoo]

So that's what that noise is. Always wondered what was making that noise and why the car was quiet sometimes and then loud. Never really cared since the manual and this forum say the FFH makes many different noises.