Diagnosing idle vibrations

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markkarh
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Mar 16, 2025 6:48 pm

Diagnosing idle vibrations

Post by markkarh »

Hi all.

I have a 2003 base vibe with 225k miles. It vibrates more than I would like at idle. The vibration is diminished but still present in park and neutral.

There is a lean running code although the vibrations may have started before it. I’m not sure because the evap codes I ignore leave the check engine light on.

The car drives well and the idle rpms look normal, although on rare occasions it stumbles at low speed. probably the product of a small vacuum leak that is also causing the code.

Before I go down the road of pcv valve, iac, maf, vacuum leaks, is there any way to rule out the torque converter?

Thank you for reading
Fletch614
Posts: 22
Joined: Mon Jan 13, 2025 8:27 pm
Location: Iowa City, IA

Re: Diagnosing idle vibrations

Post by Fletch614 »

it seems like the engine mounts go bad on these, eventually. Not sure if this is your problem but have you looked closely at your mounts for deterioration and tears in the rubber? You raise a good question about the vibration...is it engine mount related or engine related (plugs, coils, vacuum leaks, etc.)?
Youngsblood
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2025 4:51 pm

Re: Diagnosing idle vibrations

Post by Youngsblood »

I have the same problem on my 2010 Vibe 2.4 L, just replaced all mounts. Two had defects, will go old-school on checking coils first, by replace each cylinder one at a time to see if I have idle speed misses. Thought, possibly harmonic balancer might have shifted. Any thought about that?
Jbenrod
Posts: 110
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 7:58 am

Re: Diagnosing idle vibrations

Post by Jbenrod »

I don't have the 2nd Gen. Vibe but there have been many reports that aftermarket mounts can be hit or miss, and more often a miss.

This appears to be especially true of the mount at the front of the engine, which is the one towards the RF fender area near the power steering fluid reserve. Perhaps also for the rear motor mount. When I replaced the rear mount I went OEM and purchased the mount from a GM dealership. That is the only mount I had found with a large tear/crack but I need to check the others again because it's been a couple of years.

I don't think your harmonic balancer would be bad so long as it's running true and you see no signs of damage on it.
2005 Base - 235k
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