ok , im stumpped. this morning when i first started my car, the engine was shuddering HARD. i thought maybe it was starting to stall out, so i gave it a little gas. The car revved, but the motor also shuttered even harded, the shuddering was bad enough to shake the whole car and the rpm were at normal (around 800). i shut the car off and started it again, same thing happened. the car would idle, but the whole motor felt like it was going to shake out of the engine bay. the third time i started it, it was fine, but now my check engine light is on. any ideas on what this might be. i cannot get the codes, i read the on-off-on-off-on trick was removed from 98+ cars right? anyway the cars at 68500 miles so its going to the shop for sure, just wondering if anyone here might give me a heads up on possible causes. ive put about 60 miles on the car since then, and its running fine now. light still on though.

thanks

thomas

Have you replaced your spark plugs or wires recently? When my plugs went bad, the whole engine was shaking, though not quite as bad as you described.

- moisture

yeah i know i need a tune up. i keep putting it off for money reasons, but if it was plugs or wires, it would be consistant right? would bad plugs, or a single fouled out plug cause the engine to shudder only once or twice, then run fine? im so confused.

My car does that also a few days ago. I have an auto and when I shift between 'Park', 'Drive', 'Reverse', the car shudders. It happens sometimes when I slow down at a light or just cruising. The car also won't shift outta first gear, check engine light came on also. I think I probably have a shot sensor maybe the TPS, I'll take it to the dealer next week to check it out.

Will
99 Black GS

Removed Front Plate
RRE License Plate Frame
RRE Badge
AEM sticker
Bosch Micro Edge Excel Wiper Blades
'Team 2GNT' sticker
Air Spencer air freshener

LAST EDITED ON 21-Jul-01 AT 08:56 AM (PST)

COuple of Q's
When was the last tune -up ? What was changed? Was your timing belt also changed yet. 60K service.
A tune - up for cars consist of Spark plugs, PVC change, Maybe wires(depend on condition), Fuel filter, Air filter, oil change
Check battery charge, cleaning batt terminals, Tighten/check accesory belts, cleaning throttle body.
From what you discribed it sounds like a clogged fuel filter/dirty throttle body.
How was the Idle??? was it smooth? or very rough?

I usually change my plugs,Pvc,fuel filter at about 10k.
If your strapped for $'s buy your stuff at autozone. Plugs will run .89-1.89 each (super bosch,autolite,champion,denso), PVC(deutch) 2.67,fuel filter(deutch)$28.78,wires bosch premium(33.45)

Do the tune up your self first before takin the car to the mechanic.
Hope this helps