Engine shudder with air-conditioning

[JimmyC Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JimmyC]

G'day all,
Been noticing something lately with the car and wondering if it's normal and I've only just noticed it or it's a sign of something wrong.
Sitting at idle when the air conditioner compressor kicks in not only does the RPM increase to 900 or so (which is a normal and well talked about thing) but it feels like a little 'shudder'.
To describe the feeling it feels like someone has kicked the side of the car. Only does it on start/stop of the compressor, more so on the start of the compressor. It doesn't continuously shudder, just the one little jerk and that's it.
On a really smooth road you can ever so slightly feel it sometimes.
The airconditioner works perfectly and no other issues at all.
Has anyone else experienced this?

[Mozz Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mozz]

Does it have an aftermarket exhaust system

[JimmyC Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JimmyC]

nope, engine and exhaust are stock

[Mozz Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mozz]

nope, engine and exhaust are stock

My 120 did a very similar thing. Turned out to be the dump pipe bracket was broken aND allowed the exhaust to get a swing up as the ac cycled and had the judder that sounds like what you have.

[wanted Member Find all posts View Profile Close wanted]

G'day all,
Been noticing something lately with the car and wondering if it's normal and I've only just noticed it or it's a sign of something wrong.
Sitting at idle when the air conditioner compressor kicks in not only does the RPM increase to 900 or so (which is a normal and well talked about thing) but it feels like a little 'shudder'.
To describe the feeling it feels like someone has kicked the side of the car. Only does it on start/stop of the compressor, more so on the start of the compressor. It doesn't continuously shudder, just the one little jerk and that's it.
On a really smooth road you can ever so slightly feel it sometimes.
The airconditioner works perfectly and no other issues at all.
Has anyone else experienced this?

Standard....does it all the time......I am guessing it is normal

[nanbar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close nanbar]

I reckon Ive experienced it, not sure if its only with the air con though.

[P W Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close P W]

Mine does the same. Just a tiny little shudder as the revs kick up, when the compressor switches on. Phil

[JimmyC Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close JimmyC]

Yeah it's very minor. Almost feels like the engine bogs down for a split second with the increased load from the compressor