Jerking
When my car goes past 20 mph, the car jerks. It also jerks when accelerating. It also has a rattling sound when driving. What could all this mean ?
My car has 200000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
What you are describing sounds like a dirty or faulty mass air flow sensor. The mass air flow sensor monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. This sensor relays vital information to the ECM which uses this to make adjustments to fuel supply to the motor. A dirty or faulty sensor can cause an imbalanced air/fuel load to be supplied to the motor which results in an over fueling or under fueling situation depending on the conditions. This type of inconsistent fuel supply to the motor may cause a hesitation, loss of power, a jerking reaction, potentially a bit of black exhaust smoke and typically a strong smell of fuel when this sensor is malfunctioning. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to your home to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
An engine that is hesitating to accelerate is most likely dealing with a fuel/air mixture that is too lean. Engine`s that are running inefficiently will begin to show signs like hesitation which will only become worse over time.
The most common reasons a Saturn SC2 won`t start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
Dirty fuel injectors are among the most common reasons for why an accelerator becomes jerky. The dirty injector leads to your car losing power when you attempt to accelerate while at a stop and when you try to drive at a consistent speed.
There are a range of reasons why your car is juddering when you accelerate. Your vehicle could have dirty fuel injectors, a damaged fuel pump, a blocked catalytic converter, a faulty mass airflow sensor, broken spark plugs, or even an accumulation of moisture.
Annual sales achieved their highest level in 1994, with 286,003 vehicles marketed. Following a failed attempt by Penske Automotive to acquire Saturn in September 2009, GM ended production in October of 2009, ended outstanding franchises in October of 2010, and discontinued the brand 25 years after it began.
A 1.9-liter, 124-horspower 4-cylinder engine that delivers 25 m.p.g. city and 35 m.p.g. highway when teamed with a 4-speed automatic that make trips to the fuel pump occasional journeys.
To fix this, you should clean the injectors on a regular basis. Using a fuel injector cleaning solution might eliminate the issue of the car jerking. If the clog is too severe, the injectors may need to be taken out and cleaned or replaced by a mechanic.
If you`re driving at freeway speeds and notice your engine sputter or jerk, you may have a failing fuel pump. This problem is caused when the fuel pump can`t deliver a smooth flow of fuel to the engine; periodically, your engine receives only air when it was expecting to receive fuel.
Dirty Air Filters
The air filter functions to prevent dirt and debris in the air from entering the engine. If it`s dirty, it could restrict airflow to the engine, thus reducing the amount of oxygen that the engine gets. This causes an uneven oxygen-to-fuel ratio in the engine which leads to misfiring and car jerking.
When your car jerks, stumbles or stutters while driving, it usually means something is interfering with the proper distribution and transfer of power from your transmission. Another example is if you`re driving a manual transmission and haven`t gained the feel of shifting for your particular vehicle.
Saturn engines were generally reliable and long-lasting. A 2002 Saturn SL2 came with an I4 engine that made 124 horsepower and 122 lb-ft of torque. With regular oil changes and smooth driving, you can expect the SL2`s engine to last at least 200,000 miles.
According to How Stuff Works, American auto manufacturer General Motors opened Saturn LLC as a subsidiary in 1985.
A few of the most common issues for Saturn models include transmission problems, poorly-made gas caps, power steering issues, and more. Saturn was a subsidiary of General Motors from 1985 until 2010. They produced a wide array of cars, many of which are still on the road today.
Saturn Vue (2002 to 2009)
It had a better and more powerful V6 engine, improved styling, high-quality interior features, and superior driving dynamics. The Vue was Saturn`s best-selling model and remained on its lineup until the brand shut down in 2009.
You want something that is efficient, economical, and has minimal running expenses, which means that you will save a lot of money on fuel and maintenance in the long run. As for a new car, a good MPG is around 50 to 60.
These days, 23 MPG or higher in combined EPA fuel economy is considered good gas mileage for your vehicle. Of course, some hybrid models dwarf that figure these days, getting up to 58 or 59 MPG; and even some non-hybrid models can get well into the high 30`s or even low 40`s in terms of MPGs.
When a vehicle jerks or stutters when decelerating, it`s often caused by some common things such as a faulty or leaking transmission, clogged fuel injector, damaged mass air flow meter (MAF), faulty throttle body, worn out clutch, damaged coil packs, damaged turbo, worn engine mounts, and a poorly timed gear shift.
A car that surges or jerks at high speed is potentially dangerous, especially in heavy traffic or in bad weather. If your vehicle jerks at high speed, you should stop driving it and have it inspected by a mechanic.
Worn Out Spark Plugs
Spark plugs that are worn out will cause the engine to misfire. This means that your spark plugs are not igniting the fuel in each piston cylinder in a timely manner, causing your car to jerk around while accelerating.
The issue seems to be the head gasket is burned on your vehicle. The coolant is getting into the cylinders and the combustion gases are getting into the cooling system. This would explain why the engine would jerk when driving and why the coolant will get hot and cool off many times.
Exhaust Manifold Leak – The exhaust manifold traditionally funnels spent exhaust gas from the engine. A cracked manifold creates a leak that will cause a vehicle to sputter or run jerky when you accelerate.
The Vehicle Speed Sensor measures vehicle speed. When it fails the transmission can stop shifting or shift late and harsh. A bad VSS may also inhibit overdrive and the converter clutch.
FACT #4: YOU SHOULD CHANGE SPARK PLUGS EVERY 100K MILES OR SO. So, if good spark plugs are the key to avoiding these issues, how long do spark plugs last, exactly? The general rule of thumb about how often to change spark plugs is that they should be replaced after about 100,000 miles of driving.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Hi, i was driving my car just fine today when all of a sudden it started jerking. it jerked a lot getting up to about 20mph then i
ANSWER : Hi there. I wouldn’t suspect that removing the battery has caused any problems. When your engine runs rough, it can be caused by multiple issues, ranging from a vacuum leak to fuel system component problems, and ignition system issues. I would recommend having one of our professional mobile mechanics come to your location and complete an engine is pulsating inspection. This will allow them to isolate the source of your issues and recommend the right repairs.
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My 99 bmw 328i has a jerk, it was jerking really bad before my fiance changed the sparks and did an oil change. I
ANSWER : The windows can be repaired if you request a window regulator/track inspection. For door lock issues, please request door locking system diagnostic/repair. The engine operating condition problem you are having should be diagnosed as a possible misfire although the mechanic would consider a fuller slate of possibilities in order to get to a resolution (i.e., pinpoint the fault). For example, you could have an issue with one or more ignition coils, a sticky fuel injector, the throttle position sensor, a vacuum leak, faulty oxygen sensor, and so forth. If you request the misfire diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this taken care of for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
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Car is jerking forward when trying to come to a stop. Jerking started today after filling gas. Service engine soon light is on
ANSWER : Hi There,
The check engine light is likely related to your gas cap not locking. This may also cause the jerking reaction as this is connected to the EVAP system in your car. Your car has a small purge valve with a purge solenoid in the Evaporative Emissions system that controls the venting of fumes from the fuel tank as these fumes build up inside, particularly when you are refueling the car with gas. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
The check engine light is likely related to your gas cap not locking. This may also cause the jerking reaction as this is connected to the EVAP system in your car. Your car has a small purge valve with a purge solenoid in the Evaporative Emissions system that controls the venting of fumes from the fuel tank as these fumes build up inside, particularly when you are refueling the car with gas. The EVAP system prevents fuel vapors from the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. I would recommend having an expert from Your Mechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
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car jerks sometimes but this last time it jerked and stopped
ANSWER : Hi there:
At first when I read the question, I immediately thought you might have a fuel delivery or engine ignition issue. However, when you indicated you added 3 quarts to the transmission, it’s pretty evident that you’ve got a pretty serious transmission issue. Since the transmission is a hydraulic system, a leak can have serious ramifications on the operation of your vehicle. The best thing I could suggest is to have a professional mechanic complete a car is leaking transmission fluid inspection to determine if they can find out where and why this is happening, so the right repairs can be made.
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My car is jerking from 2nd to 3rd gear and downshifts. Will jerk a little
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. Your car has what is called a secondary shifter valve or solenoid valve that is operated or directed by the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) which is what controls the drivetrain and transmission. Code P0661 is related to this and is what is causing the jerking between shifts. This can happen when the solenoid itself is bad or faulty or simply due to a poor connection or shorted harness. If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.
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Car jerks forward slightly everytime I hit 19 mph
ANSWER : Hello, and thank you for writing in. The misfire needs to be the focus of our attention. If you had moisture on the spark plugs and white smoke, then there is some kind of coolant leak. This fouling on the spark plugs may be related to the leak, and although you do not see the smoke, the plugs may still be wet. Check this first. Simply moving the spark plug wires around would not have solved a coolant leak. Moisture in the exhaust would also cause the catalytic converter and the oxygen sensors to show they are not working correctly, as they are used to processing water vapor, but not coolant. Have you checked the level of your coolant? Then you can turn your attention to the ignition system, and the fuel delivery system. For more help resolving the issue, contact our service department.
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2004 Hyundai Sonata jerks while accelerating from stop.
ANSWER : This may be related to a dirty or failing mass air flow sensor. The mass air flow sensor monitors the air intake as it enters the motor and relays this information to the ECU which then makes adjustments to create the perfect air/fuel mixture. When this is not working properly, this may cause an imbalanced load of air/fuel to be injected into the motor causing the jerking reaction you have experienced. I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your car.
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My car jerks when decelerating or cruising in slow speed.
ANSWER : Hey there. This may be a sign of a dirty or failing mass air flow sensor. The mass air flow sensor is a unit in the intake system that monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. When this fails, this can cause an imbalanced air/fuel load to be supplied to the motor which results in an over fueling or under fueling situation depending on the conditions. This is what causes the hesitation or loss of power you describe. Depending on the make and model of the vehicle and the type of ignition system it uses, this type of symptom can also occur when there is moisture inside the distributor cap causing a misfire as you try to accelerate. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your home to diagnose the jerking issue and follow through with any repairs that are needed.
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