Strange Vibrations..
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Strange Vibrations..
UK 1999 RHD Explorer 4.0L owner needs help here
When I'm sitting waiting at the lights (in Drive, foot on brake) my Explorer sort of vibrates. You can feel it through the steering wheel and Brake pedal and there's a 'vibrating' noise from the Glove box lid.
However, if I shift into Neutral or Park the vibration disappears and car idles 'almost' soundlessly.
Does anybody know what the problem is and how to fix it please?
When I'm sitting waiting at the lights (in Drive, foot on brake) my Explorer sort of vibrates. You can feel it through the steering wheel and Brake pedal and there's a 'vibrating' noise from the Glove box lid.
However, if I shift into Neutral or Park the vibration disappears and car idles 'almost' soundlessly.
Does anybody know what the problem is and how to fix it please?
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From: Pauline, South Carolina
If you speed the engine very slightly while in Drive, does it go away? If so, it may just be some resonance issue that shows up because the engine hits the right harmonic speed under those idle conditions.
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Just thought, never revved engine in Drive with foot on Brake pedal, is this advisable? Means using two feet at once eh? Sounds dangerous to me.
As I said above this vibration only happens when in Drive; in Neutral or Park there is no vibration.
OR.. do you mean when I pull away from lights does vibration disappear? Well I'll try to find that out, but what with the general ambient noise from Explorers under acceleration this might be difficult :-)
As I said above this vibration only happens when in Drive; in Neutral or Park there is no vibration.
OR.. do you mean when I pull away from lights does vibration disappear? Well I'll try to find that out, but what with the general ambient noise from Explorers under acceleration this might be difficult :-)
Last edited by Aytee; Apr 10, 2005 at 03:46 AM. Reason: Additions
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From: Pauline, South Carolina
Yes, one foot on the brake, other on the gas. Don't floor it, only increase the RPM's a little bit. If the vibration is a resonance frequency, this should make it stop. It's only dangerous if you're increadibly uncoordinated.
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Good point. have felt a loose heat shield through the brake pedal and steering wheel. Since it is so easy to check it might be worth checking just so you can rule it out.
Mason
Mason
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@ mason - Ok I'll have a look at it, But it's there's no actual rattling sound to accompany the vibrations which I assume there should be if some piece of metal was loose.
@Jerrysimm - Yes, when I do as you suggest; ie. left foot on Brake and right on Accelerator giving slight revs, the vibrations dissappear. What does this mean and can I cure it?
@Jerrysimm - Yes, when I do as you suggest; ie. left foot on Brake and right on Accelerator giving slight revs, the vibrations dissappear. What does this mean and can I cure it?
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From: Pauline, South Carolina
That means your engine at idle is eminating a frequency that is the resonant frequency of the car or some major component(s). This is just like plucking the string on a guitar and having it to vibrate at the strings resonant frequency which, if performed properly, we refer to as a note. There are many ways to address elimination of resonance, including changing the mass of the resonator (ie. the component that is vibrating). However, the simplest way would be to slightly change your idle RPM. What RPM is it idling at? Does it control at the same RPM regardless of load (Air conditioner, large electric load like lights, fan(s) etc.)? If the RPM is not controlling, you may try cleaning the IAC valve. If it is controlling, you'll need to adjust it in some manner.