Where is the problem if the idle speed remains unchanged when the air conditioner is turned on?
2 Answers
There are several reasons for unstable idle speed when the air conditioner is turned on: 1. Engine control logic error: Unable to receive the signal that the air conditioner is turned on. When unable to determine whether the air conditioner is turned on, the engine control unit (ECU) will mistakenly assume it is a temporary high load and attempt to increase the speed to offset the resistance at idle. 2. Air conditioner control circuit error: Unable to send the signal that the air conditioner is turned on. Similar to the first point, because the air conditioner's on/off status cannot be determined, the ECU will continuously adjust the idle speed, resulting in unstable idle. 3. Air conditioner circuit failure: Causes intermittent operation of the air conditioner. When the air conditioner is not working, the air conditioner compressor belt is idling without load, so it will not affect the engine load. The intermittent operation of the air conditioner compressor causes the engine to continuously adjust the idle speed, resulting in unstable idle.
Recently, while driving with the AC on, I noticed the idle speed didn't increase at all, which seems abnormal. Normally, when the AC compressor engages, it increases engine load, and the engine should raise its RPM to compensate. If the idle speed remains unchanged, it could mean the AC system isn't truly activated, or there's an issue with compressor control. Possible causes include the compressor clutch not engaging, a stuck control valve, or the AC switch signal not reaching the ECU. I've observed that if the AC doesn't blow cold enough, the problem becomes more apparent. Running the engine under load at low RPM for extended periods can lead to shaking, stalling, and increased fuel consumption. As a regular driver, I believe getting it checked early would save trouble.