97 Honda Civic Ex, when the AC is turn on the idle is rough, you can hear the engine ramping up and down and sometimes stalls out. Any ideas?

 

well its very common that it runs ruffer but if its stalling out on you id suggest a tune up. plugs wires distributor cap and button and some fuel injector cleaner in the gas tank as well.

 

Try cleaning the IACV on the throttle body.

 

Also check that the fan on the condenser (radiator-like device under the hood) is working. If the condenser overheats it will cause excessive pressure that overloads the engine.

 

Will try to do this friday or Sunday

 

I would echo what mk378 said, especially in that I had this happen on my 93 Civic. In my case the fan was running but wasn't moving air sufficiently which caused the over-pressure condition in the AC compressor. My conditions were exactly as you described. Replacement of the fan motor, from Honda, cured all. Good luck.

 

Changed everthing this am and still the same problem, when the compressor kicks on the engine ramps up and down for bout 10secs and then normal idle, did this for bout 15 min and I never did see the fan motor come on.

 

The condenser fan needs to come on when the compressor engages. Otherwise you will also get basically no cold air with the car sitting still.

 

there are 2 fans in the front the codenser fan the one on the right if you are standing in front of it?

 

ya the condenser fan is on the ac lines, and the other fan is the radiator fan. very easy to tell the difference