Swinging back and forth in a rocking chair can also be fun and relaxing. But it’s annoying when you’re sitting in a car and it shakes seemingly for no reason. It’s time to conduct a thorough inspection and diagnosis if you notice your car shaking at idle.
What is Rough Idle?
When you start the car’s engine and leave it there, without pressing the accelerator, without acceleration, or without shifting gears, this is called idling. An idling engine will be able to maintain a stable rotational speed of around 1,000 RPM. At the same time, your tachometer should remain stable and not jump. An engine running at idle can provide enough power to operate the vehicle’s basic systems, such as power steering, electrical systems, or cooling systems. It can be stated that your engine receives an unmatched amount of fuel to burn while keeping the engine idling smoothly.
And in case you’re asking: Why is my car shaking at idle? This is when your car has problems with the car shaking when idling, such as surging up and down or struggling to maintain a constant speed. It’s time to examine the causes and solutions. When we know that to maintain an idling engine, a sufficient amount of fuel and air is required, otherwise the vehicle will experience this condition. Let’s find out below some of the causes to know why the car shakes when stopped.
Car Shakes at Idle – What are the Reasons?
Unlike car vibrations during acceleration, the tires are not the obvious culprits in this case. This indicates a problem in the engine – a broken or damaged part. Problems in the fuel system could also be a reason why the car shakes when stopped.
1. Spark Plugs
These are the components you should check first. The car shakes at idle. Dirty or worn spark plugs cannot ignite properly, meaning they don’t ignite the fuel in the piston cylinder when you start the car. This leads to engine misfires and vibrations.
Cleaning or replacing the faulty plug will solve this problem. It’s an inexpensive repair, but the mechanic must calibrate it correctly.
2. Vacuum Hoses
Every vehicle has several connected to different points of the engine. Their job is to transport and dump gases derived from different parts. A loose, damaged, leaking, or broken hose can create several problems, and one of them makes the car shake at idle. Other problems could be misfires, stalling, or even the engine shutting off! However, this is a minor issue and any automotive expert can fix it in a short time. So don’t be too worried when this car shakes at idle.
3. Engine Mount
What is this component for? It holds the engine in place while driving. A broken or disconnected engine mount makes the car or engine shake when parked idling or stopped at a red light. To find out if the mount is causing the problem, shift into neutral to see if the shaking decreases. This is a sure indication that there is a problem with the mount.
4. Fuel Intake System
Another reason why my car shakes when I stop is probably the fuel intake system. It can get dirty over time. A new model could also be the cause of the problem if it is not set correctly. In both cases, it will make the engine shudder, leading to car shaking at idle. The fuel intake accumulates sludge and debris after traveling thousands of miles. A clogged or improperly installed system cannot provide the required amount of clean fuel to the engine. This results in car shaking at idle.
Remember that similar symptoms can also be the result of a cracked or worn fuel pump. So, don’t forget to include it on your checklist as well when your car shakes at idle.
5. Timing Belt
This one, along with other types of belts such as V-belts and serpentine belts, could create this annoying problem. So, if your car shakes at idle, check if any of these parts are broken or loose. A damaged belt will hinder the rotation of the fans and other components connected to it. What will be the result? Noises and pulsations in the engine!
6. Engine Misfires
Engine misfires can be another reason why your car shakes at idle. An engine misfire occurs when one or more of the engine’s cylinders fail to properly ignite the air-fuel mixture, resulting in uneven combustion. This can lead to rough idling, vibrations, and shaking. When this problem occurs, the Engine Control Unit (ECU) can detect it and trigger the Check Engine light. It is important to diagnose and repair the problem quickly to avoid further engine damage and ensure optimal performance.
Besides all the reasons mentioned above, you can also check out this video below to learn how to fix this engine shaking at idle problem.
So that’s the end of car shaking in case of an idle problem, let’s take this as a way to solve and recognize whenever this situation appears. If you are interested in our maintenance tip topics, follow us for more and more articles updated daily. Together for safe driving and meeting your car requirements.