What Causes the Baojun 510 to Shake When the AC is On?

[StGiselle]

Baojun 510 shaking when the AC is on may be due to excessive carbon buildup or cylinder misfire. Carbon buildup refers to: Residues left in the fuel injectors, throttle body, fuel lines, pipelines, or spark plugs due to incomplete combustion of fuel or unburned paraffin and gum in the fuel. Cylinder misfire refers to: Cylinder misfire is one of the most common causes of engine shaking, if not the most common. The issue lies with the engine's ignition coil or spark plugs. If the ignition coil malfunctions or the spark plugs fail to fire for some reason, the car will experience shaking.

[KennedyMarie]

I've been running an auto repair shop for five years and have seen many cases of the Baojun 510 shaking when the AC is turned on. The most common issue is with the engine mounts—the rubber parts crack over time, causing severe engine vibration when the compressor kicks in. Another possibility is a dirty throttle body; when the AC is turned on, the engine RPM needs to increase, but if the airflow is restricted, it starts to struggle. Worn-out spark plugs can also cause this, as uneven firing among the four cylinders can't handle the compressor load. Electrical issues are also common, like a weak alternator or unstable battery voltage causing the compressor to act up. I usually recommend owners start by cleaning the throttle body—it's a $5 fix—and if that doesn't work, then check the mounts and spark plugs.

[StJack]

My cousin's 510 had the same issue last year - the whole steering wheel would shake violently when the AC was on. The dealership found two faulty ignition coils causing two cylinders to misfire. Another friend had a seized compressor bearing that made the engine strain and vibrate heavily when running. These older cars are prone to carbon buildup, especially if frequently driven in stop-and-go traffic - the fuel injectors get clogged up. Actually, you can do some preliminary diagnosis yourself: if the tachometer fluctuates at idle with AC on, it's likely dirty throttle body; if there's a knocking sound from underneath, the engine mounts are definitely shot. Don't wait until the shaking gets severe - it could damage other components.

[AlejandroFitz]

I've repaired quite a few 510 models, and this issue usually comes down to three causes: The most common is worn engine mounts - the rubber components tend to fail after three or four years. Next is ignition system problems, like faulty spark plugs or ignition coils. In rare cases, it's fuel line blockage causing poor injection. Once I replaced a customer's compressor but the vibration persisted - turned out the mass airflow sensor was clogged with oil sludge, and cleaning fixed it. When the compressor runs, it consumes about 3 horsepower, equivalent to carrying four extra adults. If the engine can't handle the load, vibration is inevitable.

[VanLeah]

Last time my car shook badly with the AC on, the mechanic said it was due to the compressor clutch slipping. During startup, the engine was forcibly dragged, causing the RPM to drop by 500. They also found the right engine mount had collapsed, with the rubber layer completely cracked. After cleaning the throttle body, the situation improved significantly, but the mechanic said the fundamental solution is to replace it with an upgraded bracket, as the OEM design is flawed. Now that it's fixed, here's a reminder for everyone: Don't rev the engine when the car is shaking, as it can strain the crankshaft; regularly changing the air filter can prevent throttle body carbon buildup; and owners with modified lights should check the alternator's load.