Idle vibration

[Michaelc1220]

I saw a thread for this from 2011 but they didn't seem to know what exactly was causing it. When im sitting at a light with my foot on the break, occasionally there is a noticeable vibration. You can feel this from both the drivers and passenger side. It isn't too extreme but it was enough for two people to ask me what it is. Does anyone else experience this? My car has about 2200 miles on it. Thanks!!

[Sponsor]

[blank102]

I think it has to do with the direct injection.

[Rememo]

I've seen some posts fly by about bad motor mounts. That could cause vibes at idle.

[Michaelc1220]

Ive seen people saying not to replace the motor mounts and to clean some part under the motor but im not exactly sure where.. and the motor mounts should not need to be replaced after 2 months, that would be an incredibly short live span IMO

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by Michaelc1220

Ive seen people saying not to replace the motor mounts and to clean some part under the motor but im not exactly sure where.. and the motor mounts should not need to be replaced after 2 months, that would be an incredibly short live span IMO

It wouldn't be that the mount was bad that some of the people want to change at least one of them, but that's the rear motor mount (RMM) or power train roll restrictor. That one allows the engine to tilt under load and absorb some of the slack in the power train, but too much slack leads to a disconnected driving experience. The stock mount is mostly made of rubber there where as the Mazda MazdaSpeed 3 rear mount is much more solid. Although that might nominally increase engine vibration felt in the cabin, it can help tighten up the roll of the power train allowing for less power to be wasted in this fashion. But its not likely to show up on a dynomometer.

[SportyChick]

This was one of the first things I noticed when I picked up my "new" used Focus a couple of weeks ago (I never noticed it on the test drive though). I would be sitting at the lights with my foot on the brake and the car would be vibrating during idle.

I took my car in to a Ford dealership this past Wednesday and told them about it and they fixed it. The previous owner of the car would have received (so I'm told) notification for 2 recalls, one being the sync and the second being reprogramming the PCM, TCM and ABS module. This second recall is what fixed the shaking car during idle and it in fact did fix mine, recall 12B37B for your reference. It may fix your issue, it may not but it's worth a shot.

[IMG][/IMG]

[SportyChick]

I should also mention that since the applying the 127B37B, I now experience this:

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...298984&page=11

So it's a trade off, shaking car at idle or the shudder when you gas from a stop.

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by SportyChick

This was one of the first things I noticed when I picked up my "new" used Focus a couple of weeks ago (I never noticed it on the test drive though). I would be sitting at the lights with my foot on the brake and the car would be vibrating during idle.

I took my car in to a Ford dealership this past Wednesday and told them about it and they fixed it. The previous owner of the car would have received (so I'm told) notification for 2 recalls, one being the sync and the second being reprogramming the PCM, TCM and ABS module. This second recall is what fixed the shaking car during idle and it in fact did fix mine, recall 12B37B for your reference. It may fix your issue, it may not but it's worth a shot.

[IMG][/IMG]

12B37 focused more on the traction control/abs/ powertrain and transmission control modules and strategies. It however did not fix the vibration at idle as it can and will fade in and out of the cabin depending on fuel quality, or just the general mood of the engine it seems. Direct injected engines are also running at higher compression closer to that of a diesel and this might magnify the four cylinder shake at idle. Sometimes its smooth, other times less so. Although my car was built in a date range beyond the effect of 12B37.

[Michaelc1220]

Originally Posted by SportyChick

This was one of the first things I noticed when I picked up my "new" used Focus a couple of weeks ago (I never noticed it on the test drive though). I would be sitting at the lights with my foot on the brake and the car would be vibrating during idle.

I took my car in to a Ford dealership this past Wednesday and told them about it and they fixed it. The previous owner of the car would have received (so I'm told) notification for 2 recalls, one being the sync and the second being reprogramming the PCM, TCM and ABS module. This second recall is what fixed the shaking car during idle and it in fact did fix mine, recall 12B37B for your reference. It may fix your issue, it may not but it's worth a shot.

[IMG][/IMG]

Ill have to give the dealer a call tomorrow and ask if mine had the recall fixed. I bought it new on July 23rd so im not sure when that recall was released but its definitely worth a try. Do you know if I have to take it to the dealer I bought it from? or can I take it to the nearest Ford dealer.

[SportyChick]

Well I bought my Focus from a Honda dealership (I know it makes no sense) and made an appointment with the closest Ford dealership to my work. They took it in with no questions asked and ran the recalls. I did explain to them I wasn't the original owner and wouldn't have received notification of the recalls and they were fine with that as the car is still under warranty and transferrable.

suss6052, I can't begin to understand the exact mechanics of an engine and its behaviour but it did seem to help. I will make sure to keep close attention to the scenerios you described to see if I will experience the shaking again.