Acura RL Car surges when air conditioning is on Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(191)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(191)

Car surges when air conditioning is on Inspection Service

How much does a Car surges when air conditioning is on Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Acura RL Car surges when air conditioning is on Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2008 Acura RLV6-3.5LService typeCar surges when air conditioning is on InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$132.49 - $145.62
2001 Acura RLV6-3.5LService typeCar surges when air conditioning is on InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
2000 Acura RLV6-3.5LService typeCar surges when air conditioning is on InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
1996 Acura RLV6-3.5LService typeCar surges when air conditioning is on InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.48 - $125.60
1998 Acura RLV6-3.5LService typeCar surges when air conditioning is on InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.55 - $125.72
2006 Acura RLV6-3.5LService typeCar surges when air conditioning is on InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$112.52 - $125.67
2011 Acura RLV6-3.7LService typeCar surges when air conditioning is on InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$117.28 - $130.25
2005 Acura RLV6-3.5LService typeCar surges when air conditioning is on InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$117.94 - $131.39
Show example Acura RL Car surges when air conditioning is on Inspection prices

For most of us, turning on the AC on a hot summer day is a relief. Cooled air fills the cabin and you’re able to relax and drive comfortably. However, if your car surges with the AC on, then there’s definitely a problem that needs to be hunted down and repaired.

How this system works:

First, understand that this problem isn’t tied to just one system – it’s a combination of different things. When your AC turns on, it puts a load on the engine (the engine is responsible for turning the compressor, which builds pressure in the system, which allows low-pressure, gaseous refrigerant to be turned into high-pressure liquid and used in your cooling system.

When the engine is put under a load by the AC system, the car’s computer automatically attempts to compensate for that by adjusting the idle. If there is carbon buildup within any part of the system, including the idle air control valve, throttle body, or possibly even the EGR valve, it can cause surging. The car’s computer essentially miscalculates the amount of power necessary, and ends up overshooting, leading to a surging engine.

Any problem with the AC system can also exacerbate this condition. For instance, if the system is low on refrigerant, the compressor will kick on more often, causing the surging to increase in frequency (if not in intensity).

Common reasons for this to happen:

Carbon Buildup: A number of engine components are subject to carbon buildup over time, and this can place a significant load on the engine. When the additional load of your AC compressor is added, it causes the computer to miscalculate and increase idle speed too much. Common sources of carbon buildup include the IAC valve, the EGR valve, and the throttle body.

  • Low Refrigerant in the AC System: If your AC system is low on refrigerant, it will make the compressor cycle on more frequently, increasing the load on your engine.

  • Failing AC Compressor: If your AC compressor is beginning to fail, this can also add to the surging problem.

  • Bad Belt: One often overlooked cause of a car surging with the AC on is actually a worn compressor belt. If the belt is stretched or worn smooth, it can slip during operation. This places significant strain on the engine and the AC system. Replacing the belt often eliminates the surge, and ensures better AC operation.

  • Bad AC Cycling Switch: The AC cycling switch controls the compressor cycling pattern. Over time, it can go bad. When this happens, it will place a significant load on the engine and can lead to surging.

  • Overfilled AC System: While low refrigerant can cause problems with your AC and engine surging, an overfilled system can cause the same problem. Refrigerant must be “just right” or you will experience a number of different problems.

What to expect:

Our professional mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to inspect the engine and the air conditioning system. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic will inspect the AC system, as well as the vehicle’s engine. A test drive may be necessary if the surging only occurs when the car is in drive. The mechanic will check the car’s refrigerant level, as well as other possible causes, such as the AC cycling switch.

How important is this service?

If your engine is surging while the AC is on, it’s a sign that there’s something wrong. Driving without the air conditioner might solve it at least temporarily, but this is only a short-term fix. The actual problem must be addressed. One of our professional mechanics can inspect and diagnose your problem, and then provide a repair that ensures your engine runs smoothly and that your AC system works correctly.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Acura mechanics

Real customer reviews from Acura owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(191)

Rating Summary
179
6
2
1
3
179
6
2
1
3

Bacle

17 years of experience
60 reviews
Bacle
17 years of experience
Acura RL V6-3.5L - Oil Change - Palo Alto, California
AWESOME CUSTOMER SERVICE, VERY MUCH SO WOULD RECOMMEND YOUR MECHANIC!! I would definitely use your MECHANIC again!!!! Thank you for the fast, and convenient service!! Greatly appreciated!!

Patrick

33 years of experience
1449 reviews
Patrick
33 years of experience
Acura RL V6-3.5L - Battery will not hold a charge - Austin, Texas
Very honest. He determined the service I had booked was not needed. I had AAA tell me I needed a new alternator. Patrick didn't agree and found that my hands free link, Bluetooth connection, wasn't working properly and was draining my battery. I now have to go to the dealership and have it disconnected but I could have gone for months again having the same issue. Thank you so much!

Andrew

15 years of experience
539 reviews
Andrew
15 years of experience
Acura RL V6-3.5L - Car will not turn over - Oregon City, Oregon
Andrew was kind enough to fit my appointment in 2 days early upon my, if there is a cancellation request! Arrived 20 min later, impressive.

Tony

15 years of experience
280 reviews
Tony
15 years of experience
Acura RL V6-3.5L - Brake Rotor/Disc Replacement (Front, Rear) - Atlanta, Georgia
Punctual & Straight forward. I like that.

Excellent Rating

(191)

Rating Summary
179
6
2
1
3
179
6
2
1
3
Number of Acura RL services completed
2101+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Acura MECHANICS
1000+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

Top 10 Brake System Issues Every Car Owner Needs To Know
Every driver should know how to check for problems with car brakes. Warped rotors, leaky brake hoses, and squeaky brakes are among the most common.
How to Control a Car Light, Horn, or Central Locking System With an RF Remote Controller
A car's RF remote controller allows access and control of different components in a car. Common issues include non-working remote or a weak signal.
P1104 OBD-II Trouble Code: Mass Airflow Sensor Ground Malfunction
P1104 means the mass airflow sensor is not functioning properly, likely due to a faulty sensor or bad electrical connection.

Serpentine belt/AC Compressor

The A/C compressor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ac-compressor-replacement) or the compressor pulley bearing may be the cause of the noise you're hearing. You should also check the idler (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/idler-pulley-replacement) and tension pulleys while you're at it. If you'd like some help with pinpointing the...

I have a Peugeot 206 keep going into limp mode

Hello. Thank you for writing in. If the catalytic converter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/catalytic-converter-replacement) has failed then this was absolutely cause the engine to enter into limp mode. The engine cannot breathe so to speak, and it pushes what they call "back pressure"...

Is there a dogbone mount on the driver's side? There's one on the passenger side, but it seems fine 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier

Hi - no, there is only the one dogbone link up top. There are 2 motor/transmission mounts (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-engine-mount) where the engine/transmission are supported by the chassis, and these should be inspected for failure. They become soft, and fail with time,...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com