Turn A/C on the cars really wants to die?

KORYNEEDSHELP

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
150,000 MILES

Also when im idling and turn a/c on the cars really wants to die and does sometimes. My 1997 chevy cavalier wants to die while I am idling and have the A/C running. My compressor is 3 years old and gets very cold, It worked fine up until a few weeks ago. It all works fine while im driving giving it gas, but when im idling it sputters and dies sometimes. Do I just need to change a filter more than likely?

Sunday, June 17th, 2012 AT 8:32 PM

2 Replies

KORYNEEDSHELP

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Check engine light is not on, The engine has trouble sometimes while going uphill, especially when the a/c is on, And when im ideling with the a/c on. And sometimes while im ideling without the a/c on. But if I am ideling and I turn the a/c on, it wants to die for about 5 minutes and then it does die. I was pulling into my driveway the other day with the a/c on and it died.

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Thursday, July 1st, 2021 AT 10:56 AM

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

This sounds like an issue with the Idle air control valve (IAC).
The IAC controls the amount of air that gets into the engine while idling. When the engine is under a load (like turning on the AC), the IAC adjusted the amount of air that will flow by opening more, this prevents the engine from bogging down.

Over time dirt and debris can build up inside the valve, this will prevent the IAC from performing the task properly. That will lead to idling issue.

Cleaning out the IAC can improve the idle quality.

Here is a helpful guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/idle-air-control-valve-service
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-idle-speed-control-motor-iac

I have attached diagrams for your reference.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.

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