Hi, I have a 03' 1.5lt Jazz and have noticed that the A/C Compressor Clutch (I suspect) makes a knock noise when engaging. It's got progressively worse in the last couple of years. Is there anything I can do to fix this other then replace the clutch. The car has 76K on it.

 

To confirm that it's your A/C clutch, try running the car with the hood open and A/C on. Once you hear the knock, stop the engine and disconnect the electrical connector at the A/C compressor - this will disable the clutch (and do no harm to anything). Now turn the car back on without changing anything else. If the knock is gone, you have confirmed that the noise is indeed coming from the A/C system.

It's not all that unusual for an A/C clutch pulling in to make a slight clunk as the plates are pulled together - but it is usually quiet enough that it's similar in volume to the radiator fan. The more worn the plates get, the farther the plates have to travel before contact and the louder they can become. The only fix for this is to replace the worn parts - the clutch.