Really? A/C Compressor Stumble Is Normal?

[newcastlemomma]

Keep me posted. I am curious what the dealership says tomarrow. It looks as though there are several of us that have had this same problem, but different resolutions. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks,

[KDreyer]

Having exact some problem on 06 except ac has stopped blowing cold and now the shuddering has stopped. Going to recharge the freon and see how long it lasts. This crap is driving me crazy. May never buy another Chrysler again.

[jenike]

Originally Posted by KDreyer

Having exact some problem on 06 except ac has stopped blowing cold and now the shuddering has stopped. Going to recharge the freon and see how long it lasts. This crap is driving me crazy. May never buy another Chrysler again.

Did this work? I have a 03 PT and it's been doing the blow cold air with the A/C while driving, but stumble and lose cold air at idle problem as well. I assume it's low freon. Would be interested if recharging fixed your problem.

[KDreyer]

Ended up taking it to the dealer, turned out there was a bad fan circuit. They ended up replacing the whole fan assembly up front(along with a bunch of other crap that was wrong). Now the fan seems to run in the same mode the whole time and I am getting crappy gas mileage.

[R_I_PT]

I swear, is it just me or are SOOOO many of us having this problem all at the same time. Kinda weird, X-Files-conspiracy theory-esque.

i've had the MAP sensor and camshaft position sensor replaced, throttle body cleaned twice, new plugs and wires, AC leaked detected and fixed yet still having this surge problem.

Thanks for mentioning the OX up and down sensors, I will mention it on my 4th trip to the mechanic.

I am really sick of it happening at idle and I know it's not normal b/c the car has never done this since I bought it on 05 brand new.

[eng911]

I ahve the exact same problem. I just paid the dealer $200 today and drove home to find it is still blowing hot and shuddering. Can we keep this string going for a definitve answer? Could I contact Chrysler directly on this? I don't want to just keep going back to the dealer. It will be expensive. I have 50,000 km on my car. I got the spark plugs and tune up today. They told me the serpantine belt was slipping and needed replacing for another $200. I asked them to tighten it instead.

[KDreyer]

Originally Posted by eng911

I ahve the exact same problem. I just paid the dealer $200 today and drove home to find it is still blowing hot and shuddering. Can we keep this string going for a definitve answer? Could I contact Chrysler directly on this? I don't want to just keep going back to the dealer. It will be expensive. I have 50,000 km on my car. I got the spark plugs and tune up today. They told me the serpantine belt was slipping and needed replacing for another $200. I asked them to tighten it instead.

You need to bite the bullet and take it back to the dealer. Maybe try another dealer if there is one close by. I searched forever for solutions to this problem and found many people had the problem but nobody had the same solution. They ended up replacing the fan and fan circuit on my car, but now the fan runs all the time. No studdering and blowing hot air, but gas mileage sucks.

[Bennybone]

Add us to the list... 2004 PT Cruiser Limited. 64,000 miles

Car has always been self-maintained, performance plug wires and plat plugs put in at 30 k, no issues until about a month ago.

Same problem as described here, i ASSUMED that it was a loose v-belt so i replaced that tonight, LUCKILY i left the splash guard off and started it so i could watch the new belt turn. Very disappointed when the car started studdering as was the problem before.

I notice the following.

With A/C on watching the belts the a/c compressor pulley is turning with other pulleys and then STOPS, belt continues to turn - RPMs increase - a/c compressor re-engages, belt continues to turn - RPMS fall dramatically because the a/c compressor just cycled on. Runs like this for 3 - 5 secs and then does it all over again.

Of course under power and driving normally everything is fine, A/C blows cold no studdering. THIS ONLY OCCURS AT IDLE. As is the case with everyone here.

I ran it idling with a/c off and the pulley for the a/c compressor doesn't turn and the engine idles at a solid RPM although it does seem to run a little rough but i am probably all wigged out about it now that i am watching so closely.... None the less it doesn't studder HARD.

I am thinking its not plugs being that they are only 30k old/used. I wouldn't think i have a gasket leak. But as everyone else has stated there doesn't seem to be a cure all for the problem as everyone in this thread has had different parts replaced...

I so want to avoid the dealership because i am out of warranty.

[CREWZIN]

Benny.

How about the fan, is it coming on when the A/C is turned on? The fan should run all the time once the A/C is on. If not, the engine builds up pressure because of the heat and will stumble and it will be noticeable at idle.

Another thing that could be happening is there's a circuit in the computer that notices when the A/C is on and raises the idle to compensate for the extra power. If this circuit isn't working, when the A/C comes on the extra power needed will drop the idle till the engine stumbles, again, very noticeable at idle.

[eng911]

I went out yesterday and it didn't do it for about 1 hour. Then it started again. If I go back to the dealership and they start trying this and that, my feeling is I shouldn't pay for anything that doesn't fix the problem. Is this reasonable?

What is the warranty on that fan and sensor assembly? I'm under 60k.