Honda Accord (1990 - 2002) Includes 1997 - 1999 Acura CL

Help! Car Shakes & RPM decreases when Air Conidtioner is turned on

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Old Jun 18, 2004 | 01:18 PM
  #1  
msmixedcutie's Avatar
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From: Sacramento, CA, USA
Default Help! Car Shakes & RPM decreases when Air Conidtioner is turned on

I need some help.. and advice..

I'm thinking of buying a 1990 Honda accord LX w/ 199,000 miles on it for $1500. Everything w/ this car seems to be fine except for when you turn on the air conditioner the car starts to shake and the RPM goes down. The air still blows cold but the RPM goes pretty low.. almost like the car will die but it never does.
Could this be a major problem?

Is there anything I could look at to easily fix this?

or Maybe the car isn't worth the $1500.

I'm looking for a reliable daily driver... what do you think?

Any help will be much appreciated..

Thank you
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Old Jun 18, 2004 | 04:34 PM
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Mike813's Avatar
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Default Re: Help! Car Shakes & RPM decreases when Air Conidtioner is turned on (msmixedcutie)

a/c's are known to do this with high mileage cars, pretty natural from all the older gen hondas ive seen...
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Old Jun 19, 2004 | 11:10 AM
  #3  
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Default Re: How low do you go??

There could be a plugged up idle boost valve....rear motor mount linkage is unhooked or not getting vacum, could be you're a first time accord owner and the vibration just seems excessive.
With out knowing what the RPM is at base idle or A/C idle it's hard to make a good guess.
I really would be more concerned with other things...has the T-belt ever been replaced, CV joints okay, water pump been replaced?
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Old Jun 19, 2004 | 06:21 PM
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Default Re: Help! Car Shakes & RPM decreases when Air Conidtioner is turned on (Mike813)

yea make sure idles right, and ignition timing also.

recently my accord if you have the a/c on the car shakes and the idle bounces after i put my gear back in Park. after i cleaned out the IAC screen and fixed my ignition timing, everything is back to normal. hope that helps.
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Old Jun 20, 2004 | 01:27 PM
  #5  
msmixedcutie's Avatar
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Default Re: Help! Car Shakes & RPM decreases when Air Conidtioner is turned on (Mike813)

Can anyone point me in the direction of where I can find out more info or check out these problems on the accord.. ( I decided to buy it by the way.. ) so yeah =o)

IAC screen and fixing ignition timing (how do you know if its screwed up)
plugged up idle boost valve....
rear motor mount linkage is unhooked or not getting vacum

thank you.. guys
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Old Jun 20, 2004 | 03:43 PM
  #6  
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Default Re: Help! Car Shakes & RPM decreases when Air Conidtioner is turned on (msmixedcutie)

Check to see if the condensor fan is kicking on. If the fan motor is seized up or broken, it will draw the rpms down and make the motor shake at idle.
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Old Jun 20, 2004 | 05:49 PM
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Default Re: Help! Car Shakes & RPM decreases when Air Conidtioner is turned on (msmixedcutie)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by msmixedcutie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

IAC screen and fixing ignition timing (how do you know if its screwed up)
</TD></TR></TABLE>

the iac on a 94 accord is behind the Throttle body area, im pretty sure its around the Tb area on the 90 also... its 2 bolts holding it down, with 2 hoses coming out of it... after you unbolt it, youl lsee 2 holes, one with hte screen one with a rubber thing inside, just get a screw driver or pick and gently scrape the nasty stuff off...

ignition timing youll need a timing gun, connect the clip to the positive battery post and the other to a good ground, the 3rd clip you connect it to the #1 spark plug wire. Start the car up wait till its a normal operating temp. aim light at the crank and check to see if that dots at the right spot...
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Old Jun 20, 2004 | 06:01 PM
  #8  
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Default Re: Help! Car Shakes & RPM decreases when Air Conidtioner is turned on (Mike813)

before you close the deal, take it to a trusted mechanic and have them check it out and they will be able to help you with that problem as well as point out other things on the car that may cost you money in the future. always a good idea when you are buying a car
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