# A Car That Can't Idle

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-car-that-cant-idle/62492>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chrysler, airconditioning\
**Created:** [March 11, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-car-that-cant-idle/62492 "2011-03-11T18:02:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bigjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9bd4f/32.png) [@bigjoe](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bigjoe)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-car-that-cant-idle/62492/1 "2011-03-11T18:02:00Z")

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I recently bought a 2009 PT Cruiser which now has 38,000 miles on it. When I sit in idle, at a stop light or anywhere else, the car begins to go through a cycle where it is at about .75 RPMS (On the dial) for about 15econds, then all of a sudden I’ll feel my car shake and the RPM’s fall to just below .5 and then it shakes again and kicks up to 1 RPM before settling back down to .75. This cycle repeats until I move. Also, after the first “shake” the AC on my car goes out, spitting out warm air until I begin moving again. (Not good in TEXAS heat) This happens EVERY TIME the car goes through this cycle. WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THIS!!??

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/d/1d47c66a543aa6c5a7873bb2320858f978ff52ed.png) [@system](https://community.cartalk.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [March 12, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/a-car-that-cant-idle/62492/2 "2011-03-12T00:25:05Z")

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i would venture to say the first thing is to get the A/C serviced. It could just be something as simple as an idle control problem due to low refrigerant. You could go to the parts store and get an R-134A service kit. If you do, make sure you at least get one with a gauge so you’ll know when it’s full.