WTF...engine SCARED me 2day, what is it?!

[Rio]

my car has be running GREAT the entire time I've owned it and it currently has 168.5k miles on the clock. My mom has been driving my SHO (1993 ATX) for about a month and I have been driving her 540i wink anyways...I got my ride back 2day and when I started it up to go to school I let it warm up for about 30 seconds....lol...and left. When I came to a light I noticed that the car was jerking more than usual and the car was alot more sluggish from a stop than usual. It was very wierd and SCARY. the shaking is very annoying and I cant really accurately explain it. But, it is a light-medium **** when idling, seemingly from the engine. After school I got into my SHO, and it started up great, didnt let it warm up @ all and pulled off. Coming out of the parking lot I noticed the same "jerking". I was really worried, b/c then I thought this would be something I would have to fix soon. I was ****** because I had a shot a NICE lookine MAXIMA SE (96,97maybe) and a nice looking non-riced integra. I was scared to go WOT of even accelerate to over 3,000 RPM's. Well, I got home and when I pulled into the driveway it stopped. Took it back out for a joy-ride and there was no problem. What could this be?! is it just that I need to let it warm-up before driving it in this weather. Or could it be something more serious? I drove perfectly when I took it back out to see what was up...

Thanx guys, I need help and input ASAP so I can give my parents a heads-up as to whether or not I need to take it in 2morrow...(miss a few hours of school thumbs_u but I rather my baby be A.OK)

thanx in advance guys

 

[PROPHET]

Going from a BMW back to the sho you will always notice something is not right,The problem is the sho is not a BIMMER.

Kidding aside ,it may just have been cold and not used to your more aggressive driving style as compared to your parents.

Good luck

 

[Rio]

haha...maybe

but seriously, my moms 540i isnt that nice to me, its SWEET but its not that much better than my SHO and its a new car damn near thats still worth 4x thousand bucks...but ANYWAY

I'm guessing maybe its my CPS??? I serioualy dont know. It just misteriously went away when I pulled into my driveway and stopped. shrug I then went to Borders, and when I started it back up I felt it for about 2 seconds and it quickly went away. If this helps, when this is happening the car does not run as smoothly. It seems sluggish from take off and doesnt glide like my SHO ususlly does. It doesnt effortlessly accelerate. This has NEVER happend. Other than warming it up...WHAT COULD IT BE!!!

 

[Rio]

BIZZUMP!!! I need help guys!!! it has NEVER done this b4!!!! frown

 

[projectSHO89]

Actually, it sounds like a slipping transmission.

First things first, check you ATX fluid level to see if it is low.

Also, try slipping the car into neutral after you get rolling and see if the engine revs up normally without the transmission load on it.

Steve

 

[Rio]

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!

eek! oh_my

that is NOT what I wanted to hear...

I have noticed that it sometimes rev's by itself when I am coming to a stop or put the car in park, what does this mean. Man, seriously...I am about to cry!

but I wanna hear the truth...
OMFG, if the trans is gone I am ****** and my mom is gonna make me get a new car (non-SHO) or her second car...

oh shit man... frown

 

[Rio]

Should I get a trans flush? or will that make this problem worse? frown

 

[Rio]

wait ... if its a slipping trans. why would I be experiencing this "jerking" @ idle?

 

[X-15 SHO]

hmmm...my SLO is doing that too and the trans is on it's way out because I forgot to check the fluid, but when I put some more it soothed it out a little. Try checking the fluid and yes flush it and put some fresh fluid in, the fluid is probaly the original and no good. If that all fails and the trans is still good all I can think of is someone took the car to long w/out a gas fill up and clogged the pump with all the junk in the tank when running on "E". I would be asking MAMA some questions about running on "E". BTW, I would never let my mom drive my car. It would be to much power for her and she'll probaly wreck it or F it up

 

[stevetatro]

A couple of bad plugs or wires could cause the jerking and rough idle you're experiencing. I know from personal experience.

As far as your idle increasing it may be a bad IAB. Since you have an ATX, the IAB does not disassemble for easy cleaning. I know from personal experience.

First, check for any stored codes. If there are codes, tell us what they are. Also, be sure to do the cylinder balance test during your code check. If none, proceed to the next step.

Next, reset the computer and follow the idle set procedure that Scott has posted many times. If you ask me nicely I'll post it again, but you can find it if you search. His member number is 51.

After all this fun, let us know what the outcome is. If you still experience the magical increasing idle, it's probably the IAB. Cheap part from AutoZone. If you haven't done it in awhile you may want to replace the TPS, or at least check with a multimeter that yours still operates smoothly.

Good luck, and let us know what you find out.

BTW, did I mention that my bet is bad plugs and/or wires?

 

[NEILL93SHO]

Steve, just curious, but how do u check the TPS with the multimeter? I am electronicly ********, but would like to learn. What is hooked up to what and where? Thanks

mike

 

[Rio]

okay it happend again today, so I am very sad

I really need help guys, I checked the engine out and it is what making the car shake during idle. I started the car and let it sit, I raised the hook and examined the engine. The engine was shaking!!! it never has done this before. Could this be engine mounts making it shake during idle?or what else?

if my tranny is dead.... I dont even wanna talk about it.

 

[rendyx]

I'd place bets on the tranny fluid. A friend of mine with a SLO had a slipping tranny (very badly) and new fluid solved it. Also, from a recent experience, check your battery voltage. My battery wasn't being charged properly (is it now? ) and the ignition began having problems.

Another question, is is there really a problem running low on gas if the low fuel light hasn't come on yet, and you're on the mark before E? And how would I identify a clogged fuel pump, let alone fix it? I say this because I swear my car is surging a bit at times lately, and I have been running the gas level a bit low.

<small>[ January 08, 2003, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: rendyx ]</small>

 

[Rio]

would motor mounts do this? my engine is definitely SHAKING (front to back)...also my exhaust has this (blurp, blurp, blurp) sound. It sounds pretty damn cool, but I've never noticed it before. I checked the tranny fluid and it is above the checkered portion, where should it be? there is not "full" mark on the dipstick...

so, could it be motor mounts? and if it is the tranny fluid should I just pour some into it tomorrow morning, if so what kind? Or should I take it to get a tranny flush/fill ASAP? Thanx guys for the help I REALLY REALLY need answers b/c this is scary and frustrating...

 

[shotimev6]

checking the tps is best done with a scope

beer

 

[BlackMagik]

Always start with the most simple and cheap things like:

1. add some dry gas...water is a common problem this time of year. Not only can it condense in your tank during low fuel conditions but you can actually get it from the pump. If this $1.00 option works you might want to consider changing filling stations or at least keep your tank full during the cold months.

2. Check the plugs and wires for condition but also look for water and/or oil in the spark plug wells. If you find liquid in the plug wells you may be able to get by with just draining them for now until you can afford a permanent fix.

3. Did Mom fill it up with low test? My Mustang used to do the same thing on low test gas.

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

i dont think its his tranny, it doesnt quite have all the symptoms. he hasnt complained about his shifts or anything. take the crossover tube off your intake and clean the metal connections where the two bolts go. its possible your DIS isnt grounded right. i had this problem over thanksgiving. otherwise yes test your TPS, have your tranny flushed *anyway* since its better than 10 year old fluid sitting in there. try to request redline or royal purple if anywhere around you has it. could it possibly be his cam sensor?

 

[greenmachine]

Something else you can do for cheap...take your car to a local parts store like Advance Auto or Autozone...they'll read the codes for FREE.

 

[AutoSHO]

Check for Oil in the plug wells. Sounds very possible. Also, try cleaning your MAF sensor. 2 Different problems and both will cause the symptoms you're describing.

 

[DeeK]

It could also be caused by a dirty/clogged idle air bypass (IAB, or IAC for idle air control) solenoid..A vacuum leak might do similar things, but assuming its the IAB (IAC) your options are:

Remove and clean it, instructions on the FAQ, then be SURE to clear your EEC-IV Keep Alive Memory (my dealer didn't do this after replacing my IAB under warranty, so I did it myself to stop the surging at freeway speeds - see 2.) below).
Clear the Keep Alive memory on EEC-IV - if its not completely clogged this will stave off having to clean or replace it in 10 degree weather. Per Doug Lewis, disconnect the negative cable, turn key to engine run, press brake pedal and hold for 30 seconds or so. Turn key to off and reconnect battery cable. The current drawn by the brake lights gently discharges any saved up eletricity in the EEC-IV computer, and the computer then knows to relearn all the cars sensors, including either a partialy cloged, cleaned, or replaced IAB (IAC).
Replace your IAB (IAC) with the 1996 design part Prefix is F96x-xxxxxx-*** - there is a TSB on this. Be sure to clear the EEC-IV afterwards per 2.) above. Ford changed the IAB to a non-cleanable one sometime in '93 or 94 I believe (please correct me if I.m mistaken) and screwed up. so they did another redesign in 96. My 1995 MTX now has the '96 IAB and its been almost trouble free except for some hard starting recently as the weather dipped below 20 degrees.