Unbearable Noise from Trane Mini Split

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

This Trane mini split HVAC makes this very loud buzzing/drilling/alarm type of noise intermittently, with variable amounts of time in between each “buzz,” but at least once every 4-5 minutes, lasting for a few seconds! Sometimes it will do it every minute; in fact, one time it interrupted itself while still buzzing so that it could start buzzing again! Here is a video of the noise happening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ad4rXsiAm8

And it even makes this noise when the unit is turned off!!

I would like to get as many opinions on this as possible and what the possible cause could be. Please tell me it’s not the normal operation of the unit, as a maintenance guy claimed! I don’t see how Trane could keep selling these things if that’s the case...who could ever sleep with that loud alarm going off every 4 minutes???!!

Featured Answer

mmmm12COzone5

6 years ago

It sounds like the
pump is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced. They aren't usually
noisy (at least not so that you would hear them above the operating
noise which is very low) and they don't go off that frequently. If it
can't pump the water out the tray may be over flowing and there could be
water damage in the walls. You may want to ask if you can switch rental
units so as not to be exposed to whatever mold may have formed in the
wall.

If the pump goes off after you turn the unit off it is usually
once and at such a low noise that you can barely hear it if you are
listening for it. This is it emptying out the reservoir.

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Comments (11)

PRO
Austin Air Companie
6 years ago
People buy trains then complain about the noise they make? Sorry the humor in this is just plumb hilarious to me.

Seriously though how old is this unit? This maybe a planned obsolescence thing of some kind so Trane can sell you another one. (That's the problem with mini splits most of the time--- the unit you have is no longer made any more).
tigerdunes
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
? about Trane Mini Splits

are they just a rebranded 3rd Party manufacturer? Perhaps a collaboration with Mitsubishi....

what‘s your warranty?

TD
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mike_home
6 years ago
To answer your question this is not normal. Are your renting this property? If so then your maintenance guy does not want to be bothered or spend the money to fix the problem.

It sounds like the mechanism which changes the angle of the vanes is rattling. Some mini splits are able to oscillate the position of the vanes in order to help distribute the air. You may be able to turn off the oscillation with the remote control.

Here is a video for the Mitsubishi remote control. Your unit may say Trane on it but I believe it is made by Mitsubishi. If this is not your remote then a model number or photo of the remote would help determine what you have.
HU-241004555
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Mike, my remote looks different, I believe this is it: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Trane-TREMOTE2AHANDA-Remote-Control?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-uGH-cb_6gIVYf_jBx0exAMAEAQYASABEgJHDPD_BwE

I can’t post a pic of mine because I am at my parents house right now because it is impossible to live with that noise! I just rented the apartment and I believe you are right about the maintenance guy!

I don’t think the oscillation is the problem, though, because it was still making the noise when I had the unit turned off completely and it was not oscillating!
mike_home
6 years ago
I was hoping to offer you a simple work around. The wall unit clearly has a problem and needs to be fixed. My advice is to speak to a manager who can do something about it.
mmmm12COzone5
6 years ago
It is not normal. Don't know the cause, especially since you said it happens when the unit is off. When the unit is off there shouldn't be any moving parts after the pump has emptied the water out. If it only happens when the unit is in operation and just after it is turned off then it could be the pump. They need to fix it.
HU-241004555
Original Author
6 years ago
I think it happened for at least 15-20 minutes after the unit was turned off.
HU-241004555
Original Author
6 years ago
It does sound almost identical to this Mitsubishi unit with a water pump causing the sound: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K02rts1zK-s
HU-241004555
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks! About how often should the pump be turning on (in low humidity climate)? A few times an hour? A few times per day?
mmmm12COzone5
6 years ago
In a dry climate like ours (Denver) it doesn't go off at all during dry weather. We can go the whole month or two in spring with no water being pumped out. Then when we hit our monsoon season all of a sudden water will be pumped out on humid days. I can see the drain from our bedroom window.

I've never heard the pump on the wall units, only the pumps on our ceiling cassettes after we turn them off. One is right over our bed so if I power down the AC in the evening I will hear a slight hum from the ceiling while it empties the reservoir. It is something I can barely hear.