2000 Dodge Neon shakes while stopped and in gear

murphy55d · 07-20-2009, 03:10 PM

Cliffs:

2000 Dodge Neon
Shakes considerably while stopped, but in drive (ie red lights, stop signs, etc)
Does not shake while in gear and actually moving
Usually happens after car has heated up to normal temp
Park/Neutral minimizes the shaking
AC seems to make it worse but that could be my imagination

I know that isn't a whole lot to go by, and i've googled a little, but haven't found anything solid. Before I take it to a mechanic and have to pay for diagnostics, anyone ever come across this?

some things I found when googling, included fuel filter, spark plugs, and Air intake sensors. Anything else I can do myself or check on before I take it somewhere?

RGUN · 07-20-2009, 03:13 PM

Clean your idle air control valve. The car is shaking because the rpm's have dropped too low. Putting it in park/neutral helps by taking load off, running ac hurts because of added load. The air bypass that allows you to idle with a closed throttle is restricting the air too much (because of built up crap) and causing it to drop revs. So it should either require a cleaning or the IAC motor is dying.

angry hampster · 07-20-2009, 04:32 PM

Could also be a harmonic balancer getting loose.

cprince · 07-20-2009, 05:18 PM

does the car shake more when you depress the brake pedal? If so, it could be the brake booster going bad.

radioouman · 07-20-2009, 06:08 PM

Vacuum leak

boomerang · 07-20-2009, 06:08 PM

There is a switch on the shifter that tells the computer when the car is in a drive gear. The computer uses that information to know how to control the idle speed. This switch could be bad.

But ...... you say it's still shaking (although less) even in Park or Neutral, so the other ideas you've gotten so far could be in play also and are probably more likely culprits.

As far as what you can do yourself, we don't what your capabilities are. You don't say your mileage, but if it's due for plugs (and wires), you could certainly do that yourself. Air filter of course is an easy task. Don't replace sensors in hopes of correcting a problem. Replace a sensor only when you know it's bad. Anyone can throw parts at a problem in hopes of fixing it.

Arkaign · 07-20-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: murphy55d
Cliffs:

2000 Dodge Neon
Shakes considerably while stopped, but in drive (ie red lights, stop signs, etc)
Does not shake while in gear and actually moving
Usually happens after car has heated up to normal temp
Park/Neutral minimizes the shaking
AC seems to make it worse but that could be my imagination

I know that isn't a whole lot to go by, and i've googled a little, but haven't found anything solid. Before I take it to a mechanic and have to pay for diagnostics, anyone ever come across this?

some things I found when googling, included fuel filter, spark plugs, and Air intake sensors. Anything else I can do myself or check on before I take it somewhere?

Hey, I found the problem

lol j/k, fwiw I shared the misery of owning one of those for a time. The above suggestions for a fix are very sound.

murphy55d · 07-20-2009, 06:21 PM

Oh, mileage is 91k. Sorry.

I bought some fuel system cleaner at Advance and the guy said it sounded like plugs to him. Just throwing that out there.

My capabilities are not much. I don't really know how to do anything, honestly. Is there anything that a car dumb person can do, in this situation? Would changing the air filter do anything...I think I can manage doing that. How hard is it to change a fuel filter?

cprince, i don't know how to answer that because the only time it shakes is when I have the brake on, cause it only does it at stops. it doesn't shake when i am actually driving down the road, or at least not enough that i can notice it like i can while stopped. and i drove it a little tonight and it definitely shakes worse after the car has been running for awhile. it seems like the warmer out it is, the worse it shakes. car doesn't overheat or anything, antifreeze level is good.

i dont know what other details you may want. spark plugs to my knowledge have not been changed at least since my wife bought the car(it was hers before we met), so for sure not in the last five years.

can you point to a good how-to on changing plugs for a 00 neon?

Kadarin · 07-20-2009, 06:27 PM

Loose/broken engine or transmission mounts?

brblx · 07-20-2009, 06:36 PM

does the car have a tach? if the engine rpm is dropping considerably at a stop, it's probably related to the throttle (and IAC) or engine vacuum.

fuel and spark issues would be more likely to manifest themselves under load. if the engine runs fine under load and at speed, it's probably a vacuum leak or throttle issue. clogged PCV system can also have a similar effect.

boomerang · 07-20-2009, 06:37 PM

Take it somewhere. With no experience or tools, there is a real potential of costing yourself more than if you took it in. Your savings to install plugs or an air filter will be insignificant. I don't feel they're your problem anyway.

See if friends, relatives or co-workers have a shop they'd recommend.

exdeath · 07-20-2009, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: Kadarin
Loose/broken engine or transmission mounts?

^

Easy to test. While cruising, hammer the gas and let off quickly before the engine has time to respond. Does the engine buck around?

RGUN · 07-21-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by: murphy55d
Oh, mileage is 91k. Sorry.

I bought some fuel system cleaner at Advance and the guy said it sounded like plugs to him. Just throwing that out there.

My capabilities are not much. I don't really know how to do anything, honestly. Is there anything that a car dumb person can do, in this situation? Would changing the air filter do anything...I think I can manage doing that. How hard is it to change a fuel filter?

cprince, i don't know how to answer that because the only time it shakes is when I have the brake on, cause it only does it at stops. it doesn't shake when i am actually driving down the road, or at least not enough that i can notice it like i can while stopped. and i drove it a little tonight and it definitely shakes worse after the car has been running for awhile. it seems like the warmer out it is, the worse it shakes. car doesn't overheat or anything, antifreeze level is good.

i dont know what other details you may want. spark plugs to my knowledge have not been changed at least since my wife bought the car(it was hers before we met), so for sure not in the last five years.

can you point to a good how-to on changing plugs for a 00 neon?

Look up a how to on cleaning the IACV. Did you look into it? I mentioned it in the first post. The problem is only at idle correct? So it makes the most sense.

murphy55d · 07-21-2009, 04:01 PM

i havent had time to do anything yet. i looked for a diagram or something for a 2000 neon but didnt come up with anything. i dont know what an IACV even looks like.

i may get the plugs and possibly wires changed anyway, i am sure they are about due, vibration or not.

alpineranger · 07-21-2009, 04:44 PM

IACV is on the throttle body. Look for the electrical connectors, there should be two: the iacv and the throttle position sensor (should be directly opposite to the throttle spring)

murphy55d · 07-22-2009, 04:07 PM

OK I located the IACV. Either Friday after work or this weekend I will take it off and clean it. I have been reading a little and you are supposed to use brake cleaner, but careful as to not get any on the electrical parts. then let it dry before re-attaching. Correct?

Also looks like there may be some plastic casing which may be in the way of the second screw, will have to examine further.

fanario · 11-22-2011, 04:38 PM

murphy55d, did you solve this problem? I'm having exactly the same issue. The IACV sounds like an easy fix. Were you able to clean it or did you have to replace it?

Thanks!

fanario · 11-22-2011, 05:07 PM

Ah ha! I unplugged my IACV, let it sit for a minute and replugged it in. Idle problem solved. What happened with me was the problem started after I had a very clogged air filter replaced. I suspected that the IACV had adjusted to working with the clogged filter and didn't reset to handle the increased air flow of the clean filter. Didn't have to clean the IACV or replace it. Just an electrical reset was all it took. 3 mechanics couldn't figure it out, but with your help here and a little guess work the shaking is gone. Thank you!

soccerballtux · 11-22-2011, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by murphy55d

Cliffs:
Dodge

well there's your problem right there

theunloader87 · 04-22-2013, 09:33 PM

did this ever get solved im having this issue and the iac is not it