Car problem...

[Argo]

I'm having a problem with my car, and since the mechanic has a day off tomorrow, I was wondering if anyone could tell me how serious it is. Everytime the air conditioner turns on (which happens when I turn on defogging) the car starts vibrating and the RPMs decrease by a factor of 2. This only happens when I'm idling at a traffic light, or something like that. And even then it doesn't happen everytime. Oh, yeah, the car is 97 Camry LE.

 

[DesignDawg]

Not that huge a deal, MAYBE. It could be that your compressor is starting to drag. If you have a leak in your AC system, the oil has come out, and your compressor may be about to, or may have ALREADY locked up. If that's the case, it will drag on the belt and slow your car down. Another possibility is that a part of your AC amplifier system is kaput. Basically, if your compressor clutch kicks in to turn on the compressor, and no changes are made to the engine's idle, it will hit the performance REALLY hard like what you're saying, no matter what. TO compensate for the loss, there is a circuit that automatically raises the engine's idle speed when the compressor kicks in. By running harder when the compressor turns on, you wouldn't notice a change in the idle speed. If that system is now NOT upping your idle speed, you're just noticing the drag the compressor has always put on your engine. At any rate, have it checked out. Neither is good, but I would suggest riding with windows down until you can get to your mechanic.

Ricky
DesignDawg

 

[Argo]

Awesome, I was afraid the A/C itself was going kaput. Btw, any clues as to how much this would cost me?

 

[yakko]

Format engine: /s /q

 

[DesignDawg]

Argo,

Well, considering the AC system is mainly just the compressor and the condenser and the electronics, I'd say your AC IS going out. That's why I said have a mechanic check it out. Don't run your air until you have. If the oil and coolant are gone from your system, you do NOT want your compressor turning on. If it's your compressor, that's gonna cost you probably 200-400 just for the part, not including labor. If it's the electronics, there is no telling. Could be a little, could be a lot. If it's a leak, you can probably pick up some used lines at a junkyard for about $10.00. --I did for my camry when I was retrofitting my AC system for R-134A coolant. Of course, it COULD be something else. Like so many other things, if I were there with you, I could tell you exactly what it is. But I'm not, so leave it to a mechaninc. No matter what, I would go for used parts if you have to get parts. For an AC system, it's easy to tell if they're gonna be OK, and they'r emuch cheaper.

Ricky
DesignDawg

 

[crab]

If you don't use the A/C, see if you can get a belt that bypasses the compressor. You might get better gas mileage too.

 

[woodie1]

I would suggest something is wrong with the idle-up. A vacuum line broken or some such.

 

[Soybomb]

DD gave you very good advice. If you hear a squealing/metal on metal noise fomr under the hood, you've ruined the compressor most likely

edit: I almost forgot, my money is on it just not bumping the idle properly.

 

[enginjon]

LOL ROTF

<< Format engine: /s /q >>


It sounds to me like the compressor belt, or possibly a pulley, or like some of the other suggestion. But definetely don't use it until you get it checked out

 

[Argo]

Damn, I really hope it isn't the compressor. If it is, I'm going to the dealer with a long sharp stick...

 

[enginjon]

make sure to get some nice grip on the stick