YACT: Low idle after installing A/C...

[BCYL]

I drive a 2000 civic hatchback. I decided I cannot stand the hot summer months anymore and wanted A/C for my car. I found a brand new a/c system at a local dealership for cheap and had them installed it today.

Here's the problem. After the a/c was installed, the car idles at a much lower rpm than before. I know this is expected, since the engine now has to drag the a/c pump along while idling. So my question is, will the engine adjust itself after a while? or is it something that has to be manually reconfigured (fixed)?

 

[Analog]

what happens when the AC is off? does it idle normally?

 

[BCYL]

Originally posted by: yellowfiero
what happens when the AC is off? does it idle normally?

Yep, I think it idles normally when A/C is off...

 

[Soybomb]

When the compressor kicks on the computer should raise the idle speed to compensate. In my car this is controlled by the computer, do you have all the switches connected properly so it knows? Is the non-ac computer in your model capable of doing this even? Have you unplugged the batter to reset the computer?

 

[LS20]

usually there is an idle valve that you can turn to adjust the idle... its location is dependant on the car. check honda-acura.net

 

[BCYL]

Just went out and resetted the ECU... that seems to have fixed the problem... idle is at normal levels now (with the A/C on OR off), and the engine doesn't keep trying to stall...

Thanks for all the suggestions...

 

[NokiaDude]

At least your AC doesn't shut down totally including the fan when you go up hills. My 96 Lumina with a V6 always does this. MOR POWER SCOTTY!

 

[TommyVercetti]

Originally posted by: BCYL
Just went out and resetted the ECU... that seems to have fixed the problem... idle is at normal levels now (with the A/C on OR off), and the engine doesn't keep trying to stall... Thanks for all the suggestions...

Where is the ECU? I am having the same problem with my car, but my A/C was already installed.

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: NokiaDude
At least your AC doesn't shut down totally including the fan when you go up hills. My 96 Lumina with a V6 always does this. MOR POWER SCOTTY!

LOL, that's sad. My '95 prizm with its 115 hamsters doesn't even do that.

 

[BCYL]

Originally posted by: TommyVercetti

Originally posted by: BCYL
Just went out and resetted the ECU... that seems to have fixed the problem... idle is at normal levels now (with the A/C on OR off), and the engine doesn't keep trying to stall... Thanks for all the suggestions...

Where is the ECU? I am having the same problem with my car, but my A/C was already installed.

What kinda car do you have? For my civic, you dont need to touch the ECU to reset it (I dont really know where it is neither)... What I do is:

1) Disconnect the car battery so the ECU loses all it's stored values
2) wait a little bit, maybe 5 mins
3) reconnect the battery, and start the car without anything on (no lights, fan, a/c, etc)
4) leave the car idle (do not touch the gas pedal) for a couple of mins while the ECU redetect all it's parameters
5) shut off the car

That's it! I have done this many times before and it works perfectly...

 

[white]

there's a screw to adjust the idle speed, but adjusting it will probably make it idle high when the a/c is not on.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: white
there's a screw to adjust the idle speed, but adjusting it will probably make it idle high when the a/c is not on.

No there isn't. Idle speed is controled by an electronic valve that's regulated by the computer. Most cars have been like that for a long time now.

Looks like he fixed it by disconnecting the battery, a standard practice to reset a car's computer. While that should not have been necessary, IMHO, that seems to have fixed the glitch.

 

[Mill]

WTF! How could you buy a car without AC?

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Least you have AC now.

<--- Has had no AC in his car for 4+ years running now

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Least you have AC now.

<--- Has had no AC in his car for 4+ years running now

And live in TX. I feel for you Melvin. Seriously!

 

[N8Magic]

Originally posted by: Millennium

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Least you have AC now.

<--- Has had no AC in his car for 4+ years running now

And live in TX. I feel for you Melvin. Seriously!

No kidding, and I thought I was pissed when my AC didn't work. IN CANADA.

How do you cope with no AC in TX? Doesn't it get really hot and humid down there?

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: N8Magic

Originally posted by: Millennium

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Least you have AC now.

<--- Has had no AC in his car for 4+ years running now

And live in TX. I feel for you Melvin. Seriously!

No kidding, and I thought I was pissed when my AC didn't work. IN CANADA.

How do you cope with no AC in TX? Doesn't it get really hot and humid down there?

Thanks. Well, you learn to drive with all 4 windows down all the time. You learn you have to leave them rolled down when you to the store. You learn to wear an undershirt at all times or else have a huge sweat line down your back. It's one of those things you find new tricks and ways to get around it. It doesn't get humid that often here except in the spring. More of a dry heat, but scorching.

 

[BCYL]

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello

Originally posted by: N8Magic

Originally posted by: Millennium

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Least you have AC now.

<--- Has had no AC in his car for 4+ years running now

And live in TX. I feel for you Melvin. Seriously!

No kidding, and I thought I was pissed when my AC didn't work. IN CANADA.

How do you cope with no AC in TX? Doesn't it get really hot and humid down there?

Thanks. Well, you learn to drive with all 4 windows down all the time. You learn you have to leave them rolled down when you to the store. You learn to wear an undershirt at all times or else have a huge sweat line down your back. It's one of those things you find new tricks and ways to get around it. It doesn't get humid that often here except in the spring. More of a dry heat, but scorching.

I salute you, really...

I have had my no-A/C car for 3 years and I just can't take it anymore... I am sick of getting out of my car with my back soaked in sweat... When you are actually driving with the windows down it's ok... but during traffic jams when you are not actually moving is just hell...

 

[Imported]

Originally posted by: Millennium
WTF! How could you buy a car without AC?

I've never used my A/C down in SoCal in my Civic.. don't think I ever will so I'm gonna have it removed when I do my swap.. o-O

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: BCYL

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello

Originally posted by: N8Magic

Originally posted by: Millennium

Originally posted by: Angrymarshmello
Least you have AC now.

<--- Has had no AC in his car for 4+ years running now

And live in TX. I feel for you Melvin. Seriously!

No kidding, and I thought I was pissed when my AC didn't work. IN CANADA.

How do you cope with no AC in TX? Doesn't it get really hot and humid down there?

Thanks. Well, you learn to drive with all 4 windows down all the time. You learn you have to leave them rolled down when you to the store. You learn to wear an undershirt at all times or else have a huge sweat line down your back. It's one of those things you find new tricks and ways to get around it. It doesn't get humid that often here except in the spring. More of a dry heat, but scorching.

I salute you, really...

I have had my no-A/C car for 3 years and I just can't take it anymore... I am sick of getting out of my car with my back soaked in sweat... When you are actually driving with the windows down it's ok... but during traffic jams when you are not actually moving is just hell...

Yep - that's the worst I tend to not drive if possible during rush hour, or take the tollway when possible during rush hour. I never tended to drive during rush hour - mostly early-to mid day or late at night when it's cooler. Props to you too dood