Rattling noise from AC compressor. Maybe alternator?

[Seanyjonny]

So heard a rattling noise from my engine while sitting idle at a gas station today and it concerned me. Turned the AC off and it went away, turned back on and kept rattling until it stopped (and the AC stopped cooling), which lead me to believe the compressor stopped working. What could be issue? Bearing? Pulleys? The whole compressor? Alternator??? Only reason i said alternator was because i lifted hood and listened to location of rattling and it sounded close to the alternator.

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Everytime I shut off the car and turn it back on the compressor works and rattles until it dies out and turns off (ac keeps running just seems to not be cooling).

[Liquid Smoke]

i believe the alternator is around where the AC compressor belt is as well, the serpentine belt i think it is? the belt connects to both alternator and compressor iirc. could start with checking that.

[Seanyjonny]

Honestly sounded more like metallic rattling, kind of a mechanical sound. That's why i thought it might be bearings in the compressor. Guess it also could be the pulleys on the system?

[m73m95]

Its the one way clutch on the alternator drive pulley. It's almost cheaper (easier) to just replace the alternator.