Hard shifting with AC on

garfield3887 · Post by **garfield3887** » Tue Jun 14, 2011 8:06 pm

Having been a while since I've owned a neon and not running the AC but a couple times last year due to water pump/overheating issues, I figured I'd ask.

I've noticed it's a bit harder to shift from time to time with the AC running. Is this normal? It's by no means "gear grinding" hard to shift, or won't go into gear or anything. It just seems a little tougher, especially if Im sitting at a light and shift into first.

Like I said, is it normal? clutch possibly going bad? Something else?

Thx

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 1:11 am

You mean hard as in no power? The AC will add extra load... I keep my AC off as much as possible because that small motor cannot handle it. I always turn it on when pulling away because otherwise the car wants to stall

gilly02le · Post by **gilly02le** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 11:57 am

try just letting the car roll a tiny bit while your trying to get into gear.. lines the gears up so they mate easier. I also turn the a/c off unless i'm cruising because it punches my power in the face.

Post by **jonnymopar** » Wed Jun 15, 2011 12:53 pm

Might want to adjust your clutch pedal. This was happening to me and that fixed it for me. It wasn't the A/C doing it, it was the hot weather plus all the extra heat under the hood. Clutches expand ever so slightly with enough heat. Mine was adjusted so that extra heat was just enough were it wouldn't fully disengage with the car warm. All you need is a 10mm socket and about 10 minutes.

Tam · Post by **Tam** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:00 pm

This same thing happens to me sometimes. My car wants to stall, and I can't never get passed 1500 RPM in 1st gear.

It's weird how MTX is supposed to free up the drag that the ATX trans gives, but I used to never have this AC problem back when I had the ATX.

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:58 pm

I definitely have the AC problem on my ATX too, but not nearly as bad