Once my Prius (2021) is warmed up, if I'm idling, I hear something related to the A/C every 8-10 seconds. It's a rather loud popping or clang sound from the engine bay that is quite annoying, particularly when idling with the gas engine off. And it sounds like the compressor spins up each time. Turn the A/C switch to off and it stops. Is this normal operation?
It is normal for the AC compressor to "spin up" every 8-10 seconds when the system is ON. This may also be accompanied by a "click" when it first starts, like a relay switch closing; however, a loud popping or clang sound is not normal. I guess the term "loud" is subjective and to you it seems like something is wrong, but I'd assume all is fine...
