What Causes Slight Shaking When the Car's Air Conditioning is On?
3 Answers
The reasons for slight shaking when the car's air conditioning is on are as follows: 1. Dirty throttle body affecting the engine: Turning on the air conditioning at this time will increase the engine idle speed, causing the steering wheel to shake. Cleaning the throttle body can prevent this issue. 2. Low car power, especially in automatic transmission: When the idle speed is high, it indicates the compressor is working. When not working, the idle speed is low, and the steering wheel won't shake. 3. Ignition system failure: If the car's ignition system malfunctions, it can lead to poor ignition system performance, bad spark plug firing, and unstable idling issues. Here are the items to check when the engine shakes with the air conditioning on: 1. Check the air conditioning's high and low pressure; excessive pressure can cause a sudden increase in engine load. 2. Inspect the engagement of the air conditioning electromagnetic clutch. 3. Check if the air conditioning radiator is clogged with dirt. 4. Verify if there's an excess of refrigerant.
The car shakes a bit when the AC is on, which is quite common in my driving experience. This is mainly because after the AC compressor starts, the engine needs to provide extra power, causing a sudden increase in engine load. If the engine itself has carbon buildup issues or the idle control system is not responsive, the RPM becomes unstable, resulting in shaking. I recommend checking if the idle air control valve is dirty or if the spark plugs are worn out, as these are common causes. Regular engine maintenance, such as cleaning the throttle body or replacing ignition components, can effectively prevent this. If the shaking is severe and frequent, it's best to visit a professional repair shop to avoid increased fuel consumption or damage to other components. In short, this isn't a major issue, but don't delay—addressing it promptly is good for the car's longevity.
My car shakes when I turn on the AC, which is really annoying. Last time when I turned on the cold air, the car started buzzing loudly, so I immediately pulled over to check and found that the engine RPM wasn't keeping up. A friend said it's because the compressor increases power demand, and insufficient idle speed causes shaking. Later, I tried checking the spark plugs myself and found them a bit blackened. After replacing them, it ran much smoother. If you encounter this situation, don't panic—first check the electrical connections or engine mounts. Simple maintenance might solve it. Keep the engine clean normally, and ignore minor shaking, but if it's severe, consult a mechanic. Using multiple electrical devices in the car has similar effects; just balance the power load and it should be fine.
