One of the most irritating experiences for any car owner is when their vehicle begins to jerk or hesitate when using their air conditioner, signaling a serious issue with their vehicle and needing immediate attention to prevent further damage. Below we discuss some of the more commonly held reasons as to why a vehicle might start jerking when its air conditioning comes on.
The car may jerk when the air conditioner is on due to the increased load on the engine caused by the compressor.
AC systems consume considerable power, placing strain on engines. If this extra work is not properly maintained and tuned for, it could result in your vehicle jerking as it speeds along its journey. In addition, problems within the AC itself such as bad compressors or lack of refrigerant may contribute to this issue; we will offer some tips here for how you can troubleshoot this problem and return air conditioning functionality as quickly as possible.
Engine Misfires mes Engine misfires are one of the primary reasons why an air conditioning unit might jerk when activated, typically as a result of issues in either ignition systems, fuel delivery or engine sensors. When misfires happen, pistons in the engine fail to fire correctly causing significant wear and stress on its internal components – an experienced mechanic should be able to diagnose and rectify these problems for you.
An Ineffective Compressor
An air conditioning compressor is responsible for circulating refrigerant throughout its system. A malfunctioning compressor can cause your AC to jerk uncontrollably and be indicative of inadequate engine lubrication or low refrigerant levels which could result in overheating and eventual system shutdown; professional mechanics will be able to diagnose what’s causing its jerkiness and offer solutions.
Broken Engine Mount
A broken engine mount could be another reason for a vehicle to suddenly jerk when running its air conditioner. These mounts support and absorb vibration, so damage to one can cause vibration to be felt by driver and passengers alike – however a mechanic can easily replace this part to remedy this issue.
If a car jerks when the air conditioner turns on, it is crucial that prompt diagnosis and repair by an auto service technician is sought immediately. Ignoring this issue could result in damage to its engine or other components; uncomfortable driving conditions for drivers as well as other road users; the jerking could make driving unsafe or uncomfortable; regular inspections will help detect performance issues early so they can be addressed before becoming more serious problems; such as changing spark plugs, replacing air filters, checking critical components such as the catalytic converter and sensors; additionally, an experienced technician can perform diagnostic scans to detect engine or AC system related issues as soon as they arise.