What are the Most Common Causes My Car is Shaking?
Here are some reasons why your car shakes or shudders while it idles
- Dirty or Worn Out Spark Plugs Are the Most Common Cause of Engine Shaking
- A Dirty or Faulty Fuel Intake System Can Cause Engine Shuddering
- Loose, Disconnected or Broken Hoses Are a Common Culprit of Engine Shaking
- Worn Out or Poorly-Adjusted Timing Belt and Other Belts Can Cause Noises and Vibration
- Broken Motor Mounts Can Cause Severe Engine Shaking and Should Be Fixed
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1. My Car Shakes While Idling
2. reasons why your car shakes or shudders
3. AAMCO Can Help!
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My Car Shakes While Idling – What now?
Your car should run smoothly, whether moving or stopped.
If it shakes while it idles, you could be in for a visit to the mechanic. When your car is functioning properly it should run smoothly in all driving modes – moving fast, slowly, stopped and idling. A sign that the engine needs to be checked, and possibly need some repairs, is when your car shakes as it idles. An AAMCO Colorado mechanic can run a multi-point inspection and diagnostics to identify the issue and recommend the right repairs.
Related: AAMCO Colorado Car Tune Up Service
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Here are some reasons why your car shakes or shudders while it idles, and what repairs you might need.
Dirty or Worn Out Spark Plugs Are the Most Common Cause of Engine Shaking
Spark plugs that are dirty or worn out will not fire properly, which means they aren’t igniting the fuel in each of the piston cylinders in a timely manner. This causes the engine to misfire, which is commonly known as “not firing on all cylinders.” Dirty spark plugs can sometimes be cleaned, but should just be replaced as they are generally inexpensive. A good mechanic can ensure they are installed and calibrated correctly.
A Dirty or Faulty Fuel Intake System Can Cause Engine Shuddering
An improperly adjusted or dirty fuel intake system can easily cause the engine to shudder and shake. As a car age accumulates, thousands of miles of wear and tear, its fuel intake valves can become clogged with sludgy buildup. Clogged or poorly adjusted valves deliver uneven amounts of fuel to the engine; and without an even, continuous supply of clean fuel, your engine can start to shake or shudder while it idles. Along with the intake system, the fuel pump should be checked for wear and possible issues.
Loose, Disconnected or Broken Hoses Are a Common Culprit of Engine Shaking
Hoses are a culprit for many engine performance issues, and excessive vibration and shaking is no exception. All cars have vacuum hoses, which are connected to various points in your engine. They serve to clear and expel the by-product gases, such as exhaust and fumes, from the engine. A leaky or broken vacuum hose can cause major shaking in the engine. If the hose is loose, disconnected, or worn out, multiple engine problems can occur. The engine, might misfire, lose power, chug or stall, or even shut down entirely. One of the symptoms of a vacuum hose leak is violent shaking or shuddering of the engine. Luckily, these issues can be readily identified and fixed by a good mechanic.
Don’t GEt Shaken up by Car Problems
No matter the season, AAMCO Colorado is staying open, practicing safe healthy measures, in order to provide essential car maintenance and diagnostic services to help our communities. Stay safe, and get your car maintained here.
Worn Out or Poorly-adjusted Timing Belt and Other Belts Can Cause Noises and Vibration
Your car’s timing belt, serpentine belt, or v-belts on other systems, are common causes of engine vibration and squealing. A loose timing belt or other belts that might be loose or worn out will cause things like fans and other parts to not rotate or operate properly or at the correct speeds. This will result in strange noises and vibrations from the engine. Luckily these problems are easily addressed by having the belts inspected to make sure they’re installed, adjusted and operating properly.
Related: Signs Your Timing Belt is Failing
Broken Motor Mounts Can Cause Severe Engine Shaking and Should Be Fixed
Motor mounts keep the engine attached to the car. If the vehicle shakes or the engine shudders a lot when stopped at a stoplight, or when parked with the engine idling, it might indicate the motor mounts or transmission mounts are damaged or broken. To see if this is really the problem, shift the car into neutral. If the shaking decreases, it’s a strong indicator the engine’s motor mounts need to be inspected by a mechanic.
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AAMCO Colorado Can Diagnose Engine Shaking
Given the range of potential symptoms and causes of your car’s engine shaking, from bad spark plugs to broken motor mounts, it’s important to have a mechanic do a thorough inspection as soon as possible. Visit an AAMCO Colorado transmission repair and total car care center near you. When issues arise and you need diagnostics, brakes, suspension or shocks, or engine repairs – including belts, hoses, radiators, and air conditioning repairs. Schedule an appointment for a system Vehicle Courtesy Check before it’s too late.
If you are having car troubles find your local AAMCO Colorado and call or book online today to visit us today.
If your car or truck is shaking when idling you need to bring it into your local AAMCO Colorado to help diagnose your vehicle quickly. Let us get you back on the road safely! We offer free Vehicle Courtesy Checks – if you’re concerned about an idle shake, don’t wait to contact an AAMCO Colorado location near you or schedule an appointment online today.
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Recent Posts
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What causes engine to stop while idling
My car engine shaking, before one spark plug have oil, now 2 spark plug have oil,
What the problem
Does it from tapit not set or gaskit?
Ali,
While it’s hard for us to diagnose your exact problem online, we would be happy to do a free vehicle courtesy check at any of our 14 AAMCO Colorado locations to help you determine the problem with your vehicle. Good luck!
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Mutondi,
We suggest asking your question through our Ask a Mechanic feature, and a real mechanic can get back to you soon. Or, if you are local, stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
I have a 1998 chevy blazer with 201,000miles on it why does my engine shake when i start it and when im at a stop with it still in drive and also shakes when i turn it off do i need to change the spark plug and or check my motor mounts?
Phillip,
We suggest asking your question through our Ask a Mechanic feature, and a real mechanic can get back to you soon. Or, if you are local, stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
I got problem, when I drive it doesn’t shake but when I stop on the red-light,the car start to shake, is it the dirty fuel? I fix it last week all car, but now shakes after I put fuel in petrol Station, it was cheap fuel.
Karoubi,
Thanks so much for your question. If your car is shaking while you are idling this can indicate a number of potential problems. Fuel may be an issue, but we can not say for sure without seeing your car. Karen, We suggest asking any specific questions through our Ask a Mechanic feature, and a real mechanic can get back to you soon. Or, if you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
My car shakes while in park or in neutral when I put it in drive it doesn’t seem to idle ato t
Jennifer,
We know it can be frustrating not knowing what is wrong with your car. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose any vehicle without seeing it in our service center. We suggest asking any specific questions through our Ask a Mechanic feature, and a real mechanic can get back to you soon. Or, if you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
My car’s engine shakes when it’s on drive and I’m on a full stop…but when I put it on neutral it stop shaking and when I’m in motion it also doesn’t shake
Hayford,
We understand how frustrating it can be when your car isn’t working right. Shaking when idling can indicate a number of problems – including transmission problems. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Hello I want to ask why do my car vibrate on the right backside of the car it doesn’t shake it just vibrates I put two new tires on a right both sides but I haven’t did the two left side that’s all it does and it doesn’t do anything else but that it only does it when I come to a complete stop at a stop sign what’s that light but other than that that’s about it it doesn’t shake or vibrate when I’m driving at all just only when i come to a complete stop
Wanda,
Shaking and vibrating can indicate a number of problems, from something as simple as needing to have your tires balanced, to a muffler and exhaust issue. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Hello I have a 2009 Ford edge and it jitters when it goes on third gear what could it be and how much would it cost
M,
Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle or provide pricing estimates without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
I have Chevrolet spark lite ls.all along it was going smoothly,but after 90000 km service,it starting shaking just a little bit after 4 second while igling
Hello,
Shaking can indicate transmission problems within your car – or indicate the need for a transmission fluid flush or car tune-up. However, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado