Whenever I turn the A/C on, even if it's turned off and then on again quickly, there's a loud-ish whirring sound for about 5 seconds. Is this normal? If it is then fine, but I've never heard that kind of sound in any other car I've owned with A/C.

I just want to know if it's simply the way Minis are or not, so I can get it fixed at the dealer when I bring it in to get the four other problems I'm having fixed.

 

Mine does it and so does my Jeep, just for a couple of seconds after initially starting the A/C.

 

I'll let you know in 6 months...

 

Mine's an '08, but no, it doesn't make a loud whirring sound at startup.

 

neither my 02 or my 07 did/do

both had auto a/c however and that was simply left on all the time if that makes a dif'

but if my auto a/c cycles on and off it is un noticable

 

Never noticed any sound from the A/C.

 

lol - Mid January - 8* outside.....and below zero in the midwest and most of the country close to single digit temps ....And an A/C question....

Not sure where you live but I'm movin there

 

Cool, thanks for the responses. It seems to be yet another problem with my new car. Damn.

And, by the way, I live in Los Angeles -- hence the A/C this time of year. It's not so great here overall, but the weather makes it much easier to deal with!

 

Naw man - I don't think it's a problem. I hear mine also, especially if it hasn't been run in a day or two. It only does it a few seconds. My guess is that it's just the sound of pressure building up and the oil/lubricant getting slung around again. And yeah, I know it sounds really crappy like something is dying inside there, but I've convinced myself it's really nothing more than what I've described above.

Oh, and like you, I haven't ever heard quite the same noise from a/c on any other car I've owned or driven. But I have heard other cars make the "pressure building up noise" which, while not as severe, sounds similar enough...

 

Thanks for that typ17vw...it'll help me try to exorcise being annoyed by it from my brain.

 

I've never heard any strange sounds (or any sounds at all, really) from either my 2005 or 2007. If it were me, I'd mention it the next time I had it in for service.

 

I've been noticing mine doing that. It's only a month old but I noticed it at this years MOTD it would do it occasionally. Hmm have you brought yours in for service?? I hope it's nothing b/c my 07 didn't make that noise but I had it in the shop over 40 times for various stuff.

 

I hear it in my Justa too every once in a while, kind of sounds like a turbine of some sort spinning up (or it could just be my turbo envy.... ) I've got the manual climate controls also.

 

I have a 2010 justa and its been making that noise since i've started using the AC.

 

Mine seems to make a brief noise the first time I turn it on when the car is not used for a couple of days. After that, usually dont hear anything. Got about 5300 miles on it.

 

mine makes a noise when i first turn it on, like a loud whirl but then goes away after a minute or two.

 

I tend to think all A/C systems make their own special noises. I will say this much, the A/C ROCKS in these tiny cars. Much cooler than I ever expected!