Update: Car Shaking

[mustangapril]

Have now replaced the spark plug wires and also checked the motor mounts. Everything is fine. Found a spark plug wire that had a small hole so I figured that was the culprit....nope!

Called one place about a diagnostic and they said my car is "too old" that their diagnostic machine is for '96 and up cars. ay ay ay!!!! Will I EVER find a good shop that has reasonable prices down here and knows what they are talking about??? Starting to get frustrated.

 

[Zero_chance]

Have you verified that your balancer isnt shot? Very common problem with our cars.

 

[mustangapril]

crap forgot about that

p.s. what is WITH the picture of the CHEVY truck on my post?!?!?!? grrrrr lol

 

[HISSIN50]

If the balancer looks ok and the car shakes at idle, do a cylinder balance test. It takes about 5 minutes and you can do it without moving much (you're pregnant IIRC). It's part of the code retrieval process - if you can pull codes, you can run the CBT. If one particular cylinder is causing this, this test will tell you which one(s).

Good luck.

 

[Zero_chance]

Chevy truck?? If youre referring to my little pic on the top left of the post, please take notice that it has a bullet hole through it. No one here hates Chevy more than I do. I may even be called a Ford "fanboy" though I dont go to other manufacturers websites and try to convince people how great Ford products are.

 

[inphiniti]

Chevy truck?? If youre referring to my little pic on the top left of the post, please take notice that it has a bullet hole through it. No one here hates Chevy more than I do. I may even be called a Ford "fanboy" though I dont go to other manufacturers websites and try to convince people how great Ford products are.

i think shes referring to the ad at the top of the thread that changes every now and then... its for the silverado pickup ^

 

[Zero_chance]

I always get ebay ads
(Still hate the chebbys though)

 

[blksn955.o]

Check the HB. If you want to get a quick..."this may be an issue with little effort/movement". Hookup a timing light and see if with the spout out your timing is at 10* if you have not changed it. IF its a bit off the HB is probably toast. You do not need to get under the car or do any heavy lifting to check the timing...just pop the hood and in less than 5min you will have some good proof as to if it is the issue.


Also take a quick look (with the motor off) at the rubber part of the HB. If it is not even all the way around and looks like a grilled cheese sam-itch with cheese oozing out its toast.

 

[mustangapril]

Just looked at the balancer and it doesn't have any characteristics you are speaking of. Looks fine......

 

[Zero_chance]

I thought mine looke fine too, looking at it from the top. Then when I put it up on the lift at work, this is what it turned out to look like on the inside.

EDIT - I wish for once I could post a pic on this forum. Anyway, take a look at the pic of my old balancer in this link.
http://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=balrp8.jpg

 

[Zero_chance]

Trying to see if I could attach the pic

 

[mustangapril]

Got it......the culprit was on the inside....

 

[Zero_chance]

Awesome. Trust me, I know how annoying that vibration can be. The days before I replaced it, I couldnt even stand to drive the thing. I ended up getting one off of an 89 GT that a friend had and now its been smooth driving ever since.

 

[mustangapril]

Just had the balancer taken off by a mechanic and the whole thing 'came apart" lol Sooooo all of you were correct = ) (of course, right? lol) My mom is in town and she was SET on getting my car running correctly what with having a child soon. (p.s. I'm 3 days past due as of Sat and will be induced on Tues)

I would just like to say, also, that AutoZone really helped me as well and down here have the BEST customer service. They treated me fairly and intelligently (and I have been there quite a few times with my car in the past few months!!) .

AND, i want to say I definately trust all of your opinions and inputs. You can't imagine how grateful I am for the input and suggestions some of you have made with my problem with my car. = )

 

[blksn955.o]

good deal....

One thing however, the autozone HB is known to go out. I myself had 2 go bad in less than 6-8k miles. I got a pioneer unit (about the same cost for the non-SFI one) and it has been solid for years. Just be aware it could raise its head again.

GL with the baby. My little sister (name is April as well) gave birth Tues.

 

[mustangapril]

Thanks for the heads up on their part. I'll be aware of that and will hang on to that receipt for their warranty.

 

[inphiniti]

good luck on the baby tuesday! right around thanksgiving, would be a SWEET present!

heres to a healthy baby and a healthy mom!

 

[turbogt]

sweeeet.. H.B was my assumption too..