My 99 Grand Caravan has developed an intermittent noise. It sounds like it is coming from the accessory end of the engine. The noise sounds like a metallic clatter that occurs sometimes on startup. If the air conditioning switch is cycled on and off the noise goes away. It seems to occur only upon first startup of the day.
Any body got any ideas? thank you!

 

It may be the A/C compressor clutch. Very hard to speculate without actually hearing the noise in person.

 

it could be as simple as a worn belt tensioner, much more common too, tough to determine without listening to though. try to listen closely to the engine and see if you can isolate the noise.

what engine---on a 3.0L you can remove the a/c belt and see if the noise changes/remains

not so easy on a 3.3L, that's the one you'll need to isolate yourself.

let us know

 

I finally discovered after replacing the accessory belt which lasted only about two days that the problem was a defective belt tensioner. thanks for the input.

 

Good job.