AC + Turning = Dead car, please help.

[SmartedPanda]

Hi, it's freakin hot in california. This situation has happened to my camry and I don't know the reason, whenever I run the car for longer than 30 mins, than turn on the AC for over 10 mins, I can't turn.

You heard me, AC + Turning would do three things, make my car literally die, as in it struggles so hard that it literally about to shut off, or it jerks real hard forwards and dies. Or the best situation I pray for just slow down the turn to the point it's still in control/working.
It doesn't always happen it random, usually when I'm in a stopped position and move on/turn, and only has happened once when I was driving.

This situation has almost KILLED me three times, and I have a minor BUMP from a car.

Does anyone know what's wrong?

I can't afford a good, cheap or "friend" mechanic due to college student, and just the job market f-king me over.

I really need my car fixed and done by the end of the month or else bad things happen..

Thank you for reading, and please any input is helpful.

INFO: 1992 Camry, Inline 4, new timing belt, checked all the oils, and has happened a few times. Sometimes the car doesn't even start due to the battery, but this one is about 1 month old and hasn't happened so far.

[islandboy57]

Ouch, I can't help you out other than to hope it works out. If your A/C is off, does the car work okay? If so - at least you've got wheels. A friend of mine has a Legend and her A/C broke just recently. It can easily get up into the 90s here during the summer. She can't afford to fix it so she's just driving without it.

[EEngineer]

power steering belt runs AC compressor too no?

if that's the case...check that out

[95WhiteCamry]

here's a speculation, but i'm not quite sure where i'm going with it:

ac/accesory belt is right next to the power steering belt , at least on the v6 it is, so maybe on the i4 it's similar. maybe somebody here can keep going with this idea.

[Kep]

How hot is your power steering fluid (ATF) getting? Hot enough that if it were contaminated it might not work right? Is your ATF steering fluid topped off?

Kep

[toyomoho]

A few thoughts.

I4 has separate belt for PS not connected with A/C.

Turning on the A/C should cause the engine to idle up and down with compressor operation due to increase HP needs. Does the engine idle up when the AC is turned on and compressor working?

Turning the steering wheel should also cause the engine to increase idle speed to compensate for added PS pump loads.

Perhaps one, the other or both idle up systems are not working causing extra load on the engine, and with this a very low engine idle. Low idle = low PS pump RPM and lower power steering assist.

The car should be able to steer OK without the PS working, it is just a lot harder.

The steering wheel is not locking up, this has happened due to PS system problems but tends to be only for a second or to at very low speeds.

[SmartedPanda]

To Toyo: Thanks, It does idle up slightly not noticeable for me, but if my dad (original owner) is standing within 10 feet he can tell the ac is on.

I checked all fluids, I'll recheck after a long drive and see if anything is leaking, or changed.

Also, the wheel does NOT lock up, but the engine literally just can't accelerate at all, it just struggles so much it dies. I just pushed the pedal to the floor once and it worked again but obviously that's not such a good idea since I'm in the city and its' always packed.

Hrm....I guess I gotta save up for a check up or something. Thanks guys, if anyone else has ANY idea please tell me. And dumb it down, because I'm really car-stupid.

Also, the car also gives off a really bad smell after 3.5RPMs, could that be related to the A/C + Turn issue?

[Eye8Pussies]

the bad smell is probably your catalytic converter

so....does the car do any of this when the a/c isn't on though?

[SmartedPanda]

Nope my car is fine without AC, and the smell comes from the engine bay, and smells anytime. I'll make a different thread if I can't find the smell so let's ignore that part haha.

My car is almost perfect with the AC off but it's freakin 92 F+ in california and it's not even summer yet so I just want to be able to drive, with the AC on and turn at the same time. Thank you.

[SmartedPanda]

Desperate bump, and last bump I swear.