vibration when in idle

[cellar]

i have a small concern that just popped up. When my car is in idle it seems to vibrate and kinda rev a bit for no reason. The car never lurches or anything like that just when your sitting in traffic or when you start it up and are still idling it very noticeably vibrates. I popped the hood and watched the engine shake and vibrate as well. idk what the problem is, i will take it in to the dealer to have them take a peak but i thought i'd ask you all if you knew whats up.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Probably a bad coil. You can test the front ones by disconnecting them one at a time and observing the changes in idle quality. If you find one that doesn't change when you disconnect it, you've found your bad coil. If they all make it idle more roughly, then it's probably a back coil, which are a PITA.

 

[Ian Macoomb]

I agree, it's probably a coil.

Ask the dealer to run a cylinder balance test or power balance test. Tell them you suspect a bad coil. They'll tell you that they'll do what they think is the problem and run a bunch more tests. Either way they'll charge you for an hour labor to diagnose. That sure beats trying to find the bad coil yourself or waiting till the computer throws a code.

 

[cellar]

well then




arg

 

[cellar]

50 - 70 mph feels horrible, so much vibration making me not wanna drive my car.
I'm takin' this baby in tomm
see how it goes

 

[cellar]

alright I took it in and I am starting to beleive that they have no idea what they are doing since they didnt find out what the problem was in 6 hours of having the car. I also found that getting a tension rod connector for the pop up trunk and a new hook release lever/latch would have cost $400 all installed, so I decided i'd go home and fix it myself, which I did, for free. I am hating dealerships right now

 

[99V8SHO]

I am hating dealerships right now

They don't call them stealerships for nothing.

 

[cellar]

lets say it is the coil (which they still have no idea), anyone have an idea how much this can run me? money isn't my strongest quality.
after reading up more on the problem im almost convinced its the coils. Anyone know where I can find a reference on replacing these things.
all 8 of em'

 

[99V8SHO]

Replacing all 8 coils will most likely cost you north of $400. These things are at least $50 a piece from parts stores, and IIRC $75 direct from Ford.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

and IIRC $75 direct from Ford.

You're missing a 1! List is around $175. Discount from Ford, you can usually get them for around $140.

cellar, did you have Ford run the cylinder/power balance test?

 

[cellar]

You're missing a 1! List is around $175. Discount from Ford, you can usually get them for around $140.

cellar, did you have Ford run the cylinder/power balance test?

exact words from them after having my car for 7 hours "we drove it around and did some tests and at this time we don' know what is wrong". I told them to run it, if they did it or not who knows. Im going to a different dealer to see if all dealers are incompetent or just that one.

 

[99V8SHO]

You're missing a 1! List is around $175. Discount from Ford, you can usually get them for around $140.

Are you kidding me?? That is just ridiculous.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

exact words from them after having my car for 7 hours "we drove it around and did some tests and at this time we don' know what is wrong". I told them to run it, if they did it or not who knows. Im going to a different dealer to see if all dealers are incompetent or just that one.

Find another dealer, and just ask them to connect it to WDS and run a cylinder/power balance test. Or, just do the tests on the front coils as I described, and if all four fronts check out ok, swap them to the rear and repeat.

 

[cellar]

ok i found a dealer and they found what the problem is.
The coil on cylinder 1 needs to be replaced

They also got a code P0420 for Cat efficiency Bank 1
(this is either from the mis fire or I have a bad cat)

They also wanted to do a tune up because apparently the guy who had this car before me put in the wrong spark plugs. They also wanted to update the PCM.

So i've decided to replace the coil myself along with the spark plugs. Anyone know where I can find a coil for under $175 (what they wanted for the part) or how I can replace them myself. Also was wondering what kind of spark plug I am needing (since I can tell there is a right and wrong one). Thanks for all the help you guys are throwing my way as I muddle through mediocre auto repair

 

[Ian Macoomb]

I've got a brand new coil here that I could sell you for $77 plus shipping. I could ship it out on Tuesday. But check with a Napa store first. If they'll give you the trade rate it should be around $75. I used to get them slightly cheaper than that here in Canada but the Canadian dollar has gone up a lot lately.

 

[Ian Macoomb]

Oh yeah, in case you didn't know coil #1 is the first one on the back.
They're numbered like this:
1234
5678

It's not that hard to change the rear plugs/coils.

If you don't have a service manual you can find a CD-ROM copy on e-bay usually. Even better is the hard copy but it has all the same info.

I'm in the middle of putting mine back together. I put every bolt and every item that I took off and put them in labelled zip lock bags. I also took digital pictures which are helping big time since I forgot how things were supposed to look because it's been so long since I pulled it apart.

 

[SHOZ123]

They also wanted to do a tune up because apparently the guy who had this car before me put in the wrong spark plugs. They also wanted to update the PCM.

Don't let them update the PCM unless they put a sticker on it saying what the new code is. For that matter just don't let them do it. It is only for emissions reasons they would be doing this.

 

[cellar]

thanks ian ill go look at the napa store here on monday when they open, do you think autozone might have it as well? They are right next to each other and i thought i would check. Ill go on ebay and get that service manual and get this started. If I cant find what i'm lookin for then you'll be the first person i tall ian. Im also gonna look around for new spark plugs. Thanks guys, you've been a HUGE help.

 

[SHOZ123]

If there is a Murray's auto parts store near you they are the cheapest by far. Under $60 for a coil.

 

[cellar]

thanks alot, are there different coils or are they pretty much all standard?