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Why Does My Car Idle Rough When the Air Conditioning Is On?
For the past few days, my car has been running rough whenever I’m idling. I noticed that it only does this when the air conditioner is on. I don’t even understand how the two could be connected. Why would my car idle rough just when the air conditioner is on?
Patrick Price · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Good question! I’m sorry to hear you’re dealing with rough idling. As strange as it might sound, it’s not uncommon for a car to idle rough when the air conditioning is on. It could be caused by a dirty throttle body, a bad cooling fan, or a dirty/damaged IAC valve.
The most common cause of rough idling while the AC is on is a dirty and/or faulty Idle Air Conditioner (IAC) valve. This valve helps regulate the amount of air coming into contact with the active air/fuel mixture. It also regulates the amount of air moving through the AC unit.
If this valve is dirty or damaged, it would cause the issue you’re having. A mechanic can fix/clean the valve for you. Handy drivers can also try cleaning it themselves to save money.
Another possibility is that your throttle body is dirty. If so, you can usually clean it yourself with throttle body cleaner and a rag. Make sure the car is on, but the engine is not running. Then have someone press on the gas while you clean.
If your cooling fan is bad, you’ll need to have it replaced by a mechanic.
Once you’ve got your rough idling problem resolved, take a few moments to do your annual insurance review. Reevaluating your
car insurance
at least once a year is the best way to make sure you’re not one of the 64% of drivers who are overpaying for their coverage.The car insurance comparison app
Jerry
is a** fast**, easy, and free way to get this chore taken care of. Download the app and Jerry will pull customized quotes from top name-brand insurance companies to find you the best deals fast. MORE: How to do summer car maintenance
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