Hi.. I have a 1992 honda accord and the a/c was working ok for a few months, but I noticed that it would take a while to cool and the sterring wheel would shake quite a bit while sitting idle. I was sitting idle at a fast food line and the car stalled while the a/c was on. I attempted to start it up and it started shaking as if the engine was going to jump out. When I turn off the a/c, it runs just fine. Any ideas what the problem could be?

 

your car might be idleing to low.

 

i would turn the idle up a little...

 

clean your IAC valve, report back on what happened

 

if car idles smooth and ok with a/c off it is not an idle adjustment or iac valve dirty ....
a/c idle boost is computer controlled ,,mmm you might want to make sure compressor is not locking up

 

I took the IAC valve off and cleaned it up.. it actually was not to bad loking.. THe Idle was increased a little.. Still the same problem.. When I turned on the a/c, the belts screeched so loud, I thought bird man was under the hood. The car then began to jump a little. I revved it up then turned on the a/c while my foot was on the gas and it was making a noise, but air was coming out.

 

Your system may be overcharged, or you may have excessive pressure on the high pressure side causing the compressor to work harder.
Some vibration at idle is normal, but I'd have your motor mounts checked. My wifes' '89 did the "funky chicken" at idle, just like yours (terrible vibration), and lo and behold.....

P

 

it could possibly be a partial block in the system. but like P_Adams said, the normal vibrations may be increased either due to poor motor mounts or the motor not running at its best potential.

 

Motor mounts sound expensive.. I bet that has something to do with the major steering wheel vibration at idle. It is 1992 with 138k miles..

 

Not always. Upon inspection you will probably find it's just one mount thats given up the ghost. Odds are it will be the crappy oil soaked one :-)

P