engine tries to die when A/C compressor kicks on

[350TPI]

Whenever i am running my a/c and am stopped at a red light or whatever the engine will idle down really low when the compressor kicks on.I dont notice anything when on the move just at idle.Anyone have this happen and fix it?Also i get the blinking a/c light of death a few times a day and have tried replacing the stupid relay with no help.Not sure if these are related.Thanks for any help.

[militarydave]

sounds to me like an electrical issue

[fishexpo101]

Sounds like your IAC (Idle Air Control) valve is not working correctly or the compressor for the A/C system is working too hard/too hard to turn.

IAC - mounted to throttle body, it controls the bypass air around the throttle plate at idle. When you kick on a heavy load, it will automatically allow air to bypass around the throttle plate, increasing idle speed to offset the load. Sounds like the IAC has a bad electrical connection or the valve itself is heavily clogged up. A good throttle body cleaning would be the first thing to do. Just so you have a clean baseline to work from. Idle speed is increase when you switch on the A/C.

A/C compressor - if the compressor is adding too much of a load to the engine, it may overwhelm even that modest bump in RPMs from the IAC valve. Compressor could be hard to turn do to a bad bearing, locked up internally due to wrong or incorrect lubricant used, or too much oil/refrigerant in the system. Might need to have the A/C levels checked, make that the system is not overcharged.

[pdq]

There's also an Idle Up Valve behind the air box that could be blocked or not switching. That valve is supposed to kick in when the AC comes on to.

[350TPI]

I cleaned the TB and that seemed to have done the trick.I tried to take the IAC off and stripped the left side screw so i hope it doesnt go bad soon!!Thanks for the advice.