Why does the Cruze shake when the air conditioning is turned on?
2 Answers
The reason for the Cruze's idle shaking when the air conditioning is turned on is due to a lack of maintenance over a long period, leading to carbon buildup inside the engine. Carbon deposits can obstruct the engine's air intake, causing insufficient engine power to drive the compressor adequately or barely, resulting in idle shaking. The solution is to clean the throttle body. Additional details are as follows: 1. After cleaning the throttle body, if the original opening is maintained without carbon deposits, it may lead to excessive air intake, causing engine shaking during startup, weak acceleration, and engine fault light alerts. 2. After cleaning the throttle body, it is necessary to initialize the throttle. Depending on the vehicle, there are two different methods for throttle initialization: (1) Turn the key to the second position (where all dashboard indicators light up), wait for 20 seconds, then press the accelerator pedal fully and hold for about 10 seconds. Release the pedal, turn off the ignition, remove the key, and the initialization is complete. (2) Turn the key to the second position, hold for 30 seconds, then turn off the ignition and remove the key. Note that after performing either method, wait for a period (usually 15-20 seconds) before attempting to start the engine. Check if the throttle operates normally and if the engine fault light is off.
As a frequent driver of a Cruze, I believe the shaking when the AC is on is mostly caused by the compressor starting up, which increases the engine load. If the engine itself has minor issues, such as unstable idling or carbon buildup, turning on the AC can amplify the problem. Common causes include aging spark plugs or faulty ignition coils, and a clogged air filter affecting air intake can also worsen the shaking. I recommend first checking these simple components; replacing the spark plugs yourself or cleaning the throttle body might easily solve the issue. If the shaking persists, it's worth suspecting whether the compressor clutch is stuck or if there's abnormal refrigerant leakage. Early intervention is crucial; otherwise, it can wear out larger parts and increase repair costs. Regular maintenance focusing on engine cleanliness and idle adjustment can prevent such problems. If you experience severe shaking while driving, turn off the AC, pull over safely, and check the vehicle—safety first.
