when i am idling and i turn on the AC the rpms will start to shake and the oil light will flash and the car will shake violently. the rpms drop down to almost 0 and go up to about 2 and will continue to shake in that range while the entire time the oil light is flashing.
i had the oil pressure sensor replaced not to long ago so i dont think there is a problem with that. another thing is that the ac is terrible. it barely gets cool. im not sure if that is a part of the problem or if there is a problem with the compressor. but it happens every time the compressor kicks in. the compressor will also kick on and off constantly.
please help

1997 honda accord se
4cyl auto non-vtec

 

Don't take this the wrong way, but wow where to start.

No CEL or stored codes, correct?

Does the ac cool if you hold the rpm's up?....let's say 1 to 1.5 rpms. and does the shake go away. If the normal tune up items are out of date or a dirty IAC, FITV or TB then the added load of the ac compressor is dragging the engine down causing the shake, which could cause the oil pressure to drop, hence the light.

If that checks out and the ac still does't work, and the engine is fine. Then I'd check the high and low side pressures of the system to be sure what might be up. If the compressor is failing then it could drag the engine down....start with the easy stuff above first.

 

no the CEL is not on and there are no codes
and yes if i hold the rpms up the shaking will stop
im going to try to clean the IAC
but i read somewhere that cars made after 1996 dont have a FITV

 

sounds like the a/c system is overcharged..or compressor starting to lock up ........Anyone do an a/c service recently??
first thing i would do is to evacuate and recharge a/c system,,

 

i recently added to the r134a. but that was already because it was low. and now when i check the pressure its still at 25 which is low. but im not sure how the low pressure could affect this. and i dont wanna add more refrigerant if there is a leak and waste more money

 

Desert-Didn't the 97 Auto still have the "vac" rear mount?...but that would not explain the rpm's....nevermind

taj- so all of the other tune up stuff is up to date, as you only talk about the IAC...of course the oil is full as well. but if you cleaned the TB why not the IAC while there. BTW, #14 in the pic is the FITV for a 97 SE 4 cyl.