Heavy vibration at idle only when AC is on

claasmi · 09-04-2015, 12:19 PM

2011 128i, manual transmission. Has about 85k km. I've noticed that on a hot day when I have the AC on the car vibrates quite hard at idle when the AC is on. As soon as a turn off the AC it goes away. The rpm is only slightly higher when the AC is on. If I turn AC off and bring the engine up to the same rpm there is no vibration. Makes no difference whether it is in gear, clutch in or out.

Also possibly related, I get intermittent slight shudders usually every few seconds pretty much all the time at idle which go away when the car starts moving.

I do have one code showing for the alternator (2e97).

Any ideas?

claasmi · 09-05-2015, 03:20 PM

Bump. Anyone? Is this just normal?

Yeineken · 09-07-2015, 04:44 AM

Normal for me with a 135i. If it bugs you there is a software update I think. Not sure on the 128i.

I've said something to the dealer before. Was told its normal and just the ac unit needing power when getting into the lower rpms.

DJKapeesh · 09-10-2015, 11:31 AM

Found ur answer

http://repairpal.com/bmw/135i

"Noise and/or Vibration Due to AC System Low on Refrigerant
A droning type noise may be noted when the air conditioning system is operating. Additionally, a vibration may be felt in the steering wheel. If these issues are no longer present when the AC system is turned off, the problem may be low refrigerant charge in the system. Our technicians remind us that if the refrigerant charge is found to be low, proper leak diagnoses should be performed in addition to recharging the AC system"

hope this helps

09-04-2015, 12:19 PM	#1
claasmi Private 37 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 2011 128i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 128i [0.00]	Heavy vibration at idle only when AC is on 2011 128i, manual transmission. Has about 85k km. I've noticed that on a hot day when I have the AC on the car vibrates quite hard at idle when the AC is on. As soon as a turn off the AC it goes away. The rpm is only slightly higher when the AC is on. If I turn AC off and bring the engine up to the same rpm there is no vibration. Makes no difference whether it is in gear, clutch in or out. Also possibly related, I get intermittent slight shudders usually every few seconds pretty much all the time at idle which go away when the car starts moving. I do have one code showing for the alternator (2e97). Any ideas?
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09-05-2015, 03:20 PM	#2
claasmi Private 37 Rep 56 Posts Drives: 2011 128i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 128i [0.00]	Bump. Anyone? Is this just normal?
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09-07-2015, 04:44 AM	#3
Yeineken Colonel 1301 Rep 2,093 Posts Drives: '11 135i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Delmarva Peninsula iTrader: (3) Garage List '11 135i [8.20] '16 Ford Hatchback [0.00] '15 X5 [10.00]	Normal for me with a 135i. If it bugs you there is a software update I think. Not sure on the 128i. I've said something to the dealer before. Was told its normal and just the ac unit needing power when getting into the lower rpms. __________________ Pyrat Clone
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09-10-2015, 11:31 AM	#4
DJKapeesh Lieutenant 311 Rep 469 Posts Drives: 11' 135i, 13' 911 C2S, 10' X5D Join Date: May 2011 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (1)	Found ur answer http://repairpal.com/bmw/135i "Noise and/or Vibration Due to AC System Low on Refrigerant A droning type noise may be noted when the air conditioning system is operating. Additionally, a vibration may be felt in the steering wheel. If these issues are no longer present when the AC system is turned off, the problem may be low refrigerant charge in the system. Our technicians remind us that if the refrigerant charge is found to be low, proper leak diagnoses should be performed in addition to recharging the AC system" hope this helps
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