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Help will be appreciated

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 1:05 pm
by aaron0811
I know some might complain i'm posting this problem again... but i'm kinda new to this website... any help will be appreciated ...

My problem is that....

My car jerks and RPM goes down to around 400-500 when in D or R mode... when idle. It only happens when i switch on the A/C

If my air-con is off... no jerks whatsoever even idle or in those D or R mode... no problem....

Funny thing is.. when the engine is cool... even if i switch on the air-con, there wont be any vibration at all...

But when the engine is warmed up... the whole car will definately start vibrating unless i switch off the A/C....

What should i do...

Another problem...

In traffic jams... once i shifted to "D" ... if i stay away from the brakes.. the RPM goes back to 900... but when i hit the brakes, even gently, the vibration starts again.

My mechanic told me i had to change the mounting... but i doubt so that its the mounting, since if i switch off the A/C... the vibration stops and RPM goes back to around 900

i could be wrong though

Again... help will be so much appreciated...

Thanks in advance...

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 1:10 pm
by ariesdude
Sounds like the classic alternator problem - Some easy fixes would be to add a ground wire kit and upgrade to a 90 amp GS alternator.

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 1:16 pm
by atlantamx3
Search for LOW IDLE, click the box for "search all terms"

There are hundreds of replies that will give ideas of what to do or where to start.

8)

its a common problem with the MX-3s...

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 1:20 pm
by xtreme velocity
i had the same problem..but i also found out where iw as getin gas..it was bad gas..so i didnt mess with it till i cleaned the tank n got good gas..now it runs better than ever..cheaper gas is not always the best..lol..

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 1:37 pm
by aaron0811
THanks for the replies....

But to be honest... i'm a car dummie....

I just know how to drive.. lol...

So, you were mentioning about the alternator... how does it help in solving my problem ??

So, there are no problems with the mounting right ?

And... since the aircon is the one that is causing the crazy vibration... will it really help by installing the alternator you mentioned ?

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 1:47 pm
by atlantamx3
Seriously--

Hit the SEARCH button at the top of the forum and follow the directions I posted.

It will show you that this is common and several things may be causing your problem.

It will give you a place to start looking anyway.

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 1:49 pm
by aaron0811
I did... but none of those mentioned about the A/C causing the vibration and low rpm...

Or maybe i missed it...

Well.. i read about the low idle, low rpm and stuff.... i mean... i'm not sure any of those guys had those problems only when the A/C on....


Thanks again.

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 1:55 pm
by mazdamx3sohc
i HAVE this same problem, once again our cars come with a weak alternator and you need to upgrade it to the v6 (search on the swap) and a grounding kit might help a little too. like i said.

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 1:58 pm
by ariesdude
Just take a length of 4-8 awg wire and connect one end to one of the alternator mounting bolts and the other end to the battery negative - you might see a bit of improvement.

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 2:00 pm
by mazdamx3sohc
think that would work? good idea.

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 2:03 pm
by aaron0811
Ooohh OK !!

Thanks !

Will do it... :)

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 2:06 pm
by aaron0811
By the way...

Nice Rides you guys got there... :)

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 2:11 pm
by mazdamx3sohc
why thank you.

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 3:07 pm
by Limegreen mx-3
for the a/c u do know it a power robber as soon as u turn it on. car feels slow vib. at idle doesn't acc. very fast.

Posted: July 28th, 2006, 4:39 pm
by mazdamx3sohc
yeah, thats why you should get a v6 alternator it supplys it with more power.