Loud Air Conditioner
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: ca
Loud Air Conditioner
My '04 e320 air conditioning seems too loud. I searched and didn't find anybody else commenting.
The noise outside the car is so loud that I was trying to talk to a friend standing outside the car while it was running that I had to turn off the air conditioning unit, otherwise they couldn't hear me. Inside the car the noise is loud, but not as bad as outside the car. Most of the time the air is running at the mid way point (red bars) - so it's not even max'd.
Any thoughts? Could there be something wrong? Should I have it checked?
The noise outside the car is so loud that I was trying to talk to a friend standing outside the car while it was running that I had to turn off the air conditioning unit, otherwise they couldn't hear me. Inside the car the noise is loud, but not as bad as outside the car. Most of the time the air is running at the mid way point (red bars) - so it's not even max'd.
Any thoughts? Could there be something wrong? Should I have it checked?
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Its the electric fan behind the radiator trying to pull air thru the radiator to cool the A/C condenser. I never heard it till the last 2 weeks, since the outside temps were "cool" enough for the car to dump the heat. Now that its hot, it screams untill you are moving at a good clip & the flow of air is sufficient.
Roll down the windows (in the garage, or a bank drive thru thats covered) & turn off the A/C ("O"), the noise will stop in a 1/2 minute or less. Aint it great the sound insulation on a Benz is so good?
Roll down the windows (in the garage, or a bank drive thru thats covered) & turn off the A/C ("O"), the noise will stop in a 1/2 minute or less. Aint it great the sound insulation on a Benz is so good?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
"Screams" is a good description of the noise, although as you say, it's a lot louder outside than inside. It's more than just a motor sound and rushing-air sound you might expect from a fan; it sounds like scraping metal or a slipping belt. I was going to post and ask if it was normal (is it possible to attach a .WAV or .MP3 file to a post here?) but it seems like the noise is indeed "normal" in the sense that other people get the same racket. Whether it SHOULD be that loud and harsh is another matter. At least it tapers off pretty quickly.
For a luxury car, the W211 sure makes a lot of noise or one kind or another - but no rattles, thankfully. If I wanted the quiet of the tomb I should have gotten a LS430, obviously.
For a luxury car, the W211 sure makes a lot of noise or one kind or another - but no rattles, thankfully. If I wanted the quiet of the tomb I should have gotten a LS430, obviously.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
there should be two fan speeds, one low and one high. It depends on the temp of the engine/coolant and it determinds what speed it'll set it on. Especially if your not moving with the engine on, it's going to run hotter 'cuz there's no air getting sucked/forced in...therefore the fan going on high to cool it down. the low speed is not very loud but the high is where the "screaming" comes in 
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
I cant stand that fan whine! Rediculously and embarrasingly loud.. "dude, is somethign wrong with your belts?" no..
Poor design somewhere. Fortunately, it doesnt last long. Just at start up for a minute and then on very hot days.
Poor design somewhere. Fortunately, it doesnt last long. Just at start up for a minute and then on very hot days.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,781
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From: Boston
'05 A4 1.8TQM6
Originally posted by Brav
I cant stand that fan whine! Rediculously and embarrasingly loud.. "dude, is somethign wrong with your belts?" no..
Poor design somewhere. Fortunately, it doesnt last long. Just at start up for a minute and then on very hot days.
I cant stand that fan whine! Rediculously and embarrasingly loud.. "dude, is somethign wrong with your belts?" no..
Poor design somewhere. Fortunately, it doesnt last long. Just at start up for a minute and then on very hot days.
I've had people look at my w202 when the fan goes on full speed, but they only glance for a sec then look away
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Yup, Its surprisingly loud, but I always remark to myself while driving in all kinds of traffic, how GOOD the A/C works in this car, regardless of vehicle speed, considering it doesn't use R-12. I have yet to press the recirc button, other than to close all the windows/roof after a 2 minute cool down venting when I get in... and then I immediately press it again to go back to "non-recirc" mode.
Good thing the cabin is so well sound insulated! Its not as bad as sitting next to a Soft Ice Cream truck though
Good thing the cabin is so well sound insulated! Its not as bad as sitting next to a Soft Ice Cream truck though
Last edited by Barry45RPM; Jun 18, 2004 at 10:29 AM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Suburban Chicago
2013 GL550
This high fan speed occurs when the climate control is trying to cool the interior down to the temp you set and it kicks the system into the "Max Cool" setting. Tap your fan speed down one notch into manual and it turns off. Or turn up the temp setting a bit until it comes out of Max Cool. Working as designed but it is annoying.
Bruce
Bruce
