My 98 Dodge Neon jerks when you turn the air conditioner on but when the ac is off it runs just fine. How can this be fixed?
2006-09-02 14:37:39 · 8 answers · asked by Eric 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Quiet down, class, quiet down. Didn't you hear the bell? Today's lesson is on the basics of air conditioniong. Your A/C compressor only works when it's needed. It compresses the refrigerant in your car's A/C system, and it cycles on and off as the refrigerant pressure in the system falls and rises. It has an electromagnetic clutch that is triggered by a pressure switch in the high pressure side of the A/C system. That clutch is not a smooth one like you have connected to the pedal under your foot to get the car moving. It is either engaged or disengaged. The A/C compressor puts drag on the engine when it is operating. So, when the pressure switch tells that compressor it's time to turn on, it doesn't say "you can come on when you feel like it, and when you do, come on gradually". It says "turn on now, and none of this pansy-azz gradual stuff. This driver wants cold air and he wants it NOW". Because the engines in our Neons are small and have very little power, (I have a 98 Neon too) the kick from that compressor is a hard one, and that little motor really feels it. That's the "jerk" you feel. If we had a big V8 under there, the same compressor wouldn't do much to the motor. We can only fix that jerk by buying a car with a bigger motor.
2006-09-02 15:20:22 · answer #1 · answered by Me again 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to have mechanic look at air conditioner. Compressor may be going out.
2006-09-02 15:09:01 · answer #2 · answered by lizzybit64 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sell it! Mine did the same...and more. Unload it now!
2006-09-02 14:45:41 · answer #3 · answered by mesamac 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tighten the belt.
It is loose.
2006-09-02 14:40:08 · answer #4 · answered by Dennis Fargo 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it can't- the compressor takes energy to start up. hence-the kick....open your windows and drive faster...
2006-09-02 14:39:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd ask a mechanic.
2006-09-02 14:39:38 · answer #6 · answered by existingtobe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
check and replace the belt.
2006-09-02 14:43:47 · answer #7 · answered by Billy T 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, what me again said...
2006-09-02 17:46:24 · answer #8 · answered by Cowboy Jacob 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋