What are the solutions for CRV shaking when the air conditioner is turned on?

[MakaylaFitz]

Here are the reasons and solutions for Honda CRV idle shaking: 1. Severe engine carbon deposits: The most common cause of car shaking is dirty throttle or excessive carbon deposits in the fuel injector. When there is too much carbon deposit inside the engine, the gasoline sprayed by the cold start injector will be largely absorbed by the carbon deposits, resulting in an overly lean mixture during cold starts, making it difficult to start. In this situation, the car can only start easily after the carbon deposits are saturated with gasoline. After starting, the gasoline adsorbed on the carbon deposits will be sucked into the cylinder by the engine's vacuum suction for combustion, making the mixture too rich. The engine's combustible mixture alternates between being too lean and too rich, causing idle shaking after a cold start. Additionally, the lower the temperature, the more fuel is needed for a cold start, and the presence of carbon deposits will affect the smoothness of the cold start. The solution is to clean the fuel system and check if the idle speed motor has carbon deposits that need cleaning. 2. Ignition system issues: Check the working condition of the spark plugs, high-voltage wires, and ignition coils. Poor performance of the ignition system or bad spark plug firing can also cause such faults. The solution is to check if the spark plugs have excessive carbon deposits and replace them if necessary. 3. Unstable oil pressure: If you have already cleaned the engine carbon deposits, cleaned the throttle, replaced the oil pad and spark plugs, but still notice body shaking at idle, it is recommended to go to a 4S shop to check the fuel supply pressure and the intake pressure sensor. If the fuel pump supply pressure is abnormal or the intake pressure sensor values are incorrect or malfunctioning, it can cause body shaking. The solution is to check the oil pressure and replace parts if necessary. 4. Aging engine components: Car shaking can also be related to aging engine mounts. Engine mounts are actually the shock absorption system of the engine. They absorb the slight vibrations of the engine during operation. If the engine mounts are faulty, these vibrations will be transmitted to the steering wheel and the interior of the car, causing shaking at idle. Carbon deposits can form in certain areas, especially the throttle. If the throttle is very dirty, it will obstruct the air intake, causing the engine to barely or insufficiently drive the compressor. This is why the car shakes when the air conditioner is turned on.

[Malachi]

I've been repairing cars for decades, and the issue of CR-V shaking when the air conditioning is turned on is quite common. This is mainly because the engine load suddenly increases, such as carbon buildup on the spark plugs causing abnormal ignition, or the air conditioning compressor not running smoothly and consuming too much power. The solution is to first conduct a comprehensive diagnosis: check if the spark plugs need to be replaced or cleaned of carbon deposits, and observe if there are any abnormal noises or excessive vibrations when the compressor is working. Don't forget to check the engine mounts; if they are aged or damaged, replacing them can significantly reduce vibrations. Additionally, regular maintenance is crucial—changing the engine oil and air filter every 5,000 kilometers can prevent carbon buildup. If the shaking persists, it might involve sensor failure or fuel system issues, requiring a professional technician to diagnose with specialized equipment. Delaying repairs can affect driving safety, so timely fixes are essential for peace of mind on the road.

[DeCali]

I'm an experienced CR-V owner, and I've been through the issue of severe shaking when the AC is on. I believe the main causes are usually a dirty throttle body or old spark plugs, making the engine struggle with the AC load. My advice is to start with a simple self-check: pop the hood and observe if the tachometer fluctuates significantly at idle. If the fluctuations are severe, head straight to a dealership or repair shop for throttle body cleaning or spark plug replacement. It's not expensive—just a few hundred bucks will do the trick. For regular maintenance, avoid frequently turning the AC on and off while idling with a hot engine to reduce carbon buildup. These minor shakes might not affect driving, but ignoring them could damage more components and increase repair costs down the line. Develop good habits, and your car will stay trouble-free.