Q: Car shaking while idling.

asked by on January 11, 2016

It shakes a little while idling.

Car idle is rough Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Engine is misfiring Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

If the engine shakes a little while driving this could be a fuel or ignition systems malfunction. If not enough fuel is being delivered to each cylinder or if the ignition system is not strong enough to burn the correct amount of fuel, the engine may shake and seem unbalanced. I would enlist the assistance of a YourMechanic technician to check your vehicle for trouble codes with an OBD2 scanner. Once trouble codes are found (if any) the diagnosis can continue. The likely cause of this issue would be a misfire due to a fouled spark plug or ignition coil but be sure to have both fuel and ignition systems checked thoroughly.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What is the vehicle stability assist system?
Your car offers a number of pretty advanced systems designed to help provide better handling and safety on the road. One of those is the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system. Here’s what you need to know about it: The VSA...
Truck won't go into park
There can be a few reasons why your shifter would be jamming up or sticking. The gear selector is apart of the shift linkage controlling what gear you want to enter. Over time, mechanical parts wear naturally and the linkage...
Overheating and hissing
You stated your coolant was about halfway. It's an important detail to know where you are checking your coolant level. Are you checking in the coolant overflow jug, or in the radiator after you remove the radiator cap. Also, you...
Ignition key not working - 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420SEL
It's quite likely the battery is dead, and all electrical functions are inoperative. All of the locks have mechanical actuators. A certified technician from YourMechanic can replace your battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-replacement) at your home or office and get you on your...
Adding roof rails crossbars - 2014 Infiniti QX60
Hello. Some dealers do offer installation of aftermarket parts (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/all-about-aftermarket-parts) and accessories. However, this will vary from dealer to dealer. I would check your local dealerships to see if they are able to install aftermarket accessories. If not, then a...
Engine turns but won't start - 2001 Mercedes-Benz ML430
Hello and thank you for your question. Check for the three essentials that the engine needs to run. Check for air in the engine and make sure that the air filter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/air-filter-replacement) is not plugged up. Check for spark to...
my check engine light came on a few weeks ago and said it was coolant issue light went out and a few days ago it came back on
Your vehicle has less than 60,000 miles and inasmuch as you mention a possible fault in the engine cooling system, you should check for warranty coverage under Chrysler's 5 year/60,000 miles powertrain warranty. If you are not covered under the...
I have a Ford Focus the car is jerking and engine light turns on but turns off when I shut the car off
A couple of things may cause this to happen such as a faulty cam position sensor a transmission problem or in some cases a dirty or faulty idle air control valve. The camshaft position sensor is a magnetic sensor that...
EPS issue on 2002 Honda S2000
EPS systems will communicate with a professional scan tool. Inasmuch as all of the "faults" you refer to are possible, the fastest way to resolve this is to simply download the trouble codes that have set and/or use a real...

Related articles

2007 Nissan Versa vs. 2007 Saturn Ion: Which One Should I Buy?
Compact cars as a class are generally meant to be commuter vehicles: with excellent gas mileage, an entry-level price point, and decent safety ratings for those who are on the road the majority of their time. These cars also make...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Axle CV Shaft Assembly
Common signs include loud clicking noises when turning, grease on the inside edge of the tires, and excessive vibration when driving.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Air Injection Hose
Check your car's air injection hose for signs of damage. If there are idling issues or the Check Engine Light turns on, you may have to replace it.