What does my car start shaking when idling 1997 Ford Taurus

ANSWER : Hello. This can be caused by a number of things. Most of the time the issue is caused from a vacuum leak in the engine or a failure in the idle control valve. This is only true if the issue only happens at or near idle. I usually check these first and then check to make sure that the spark plugs are fine. If this occurs at higher speeds also then I will usually also test the fuel pressure to make sure that the fuel pump is not failing. If you want to have this running problem repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the engine is stalling] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-stalling-inspection

ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : It is very possible that you have a valve cover gasket or spark plug tube seal leak on your vehicle. These type of leaks will allow oil to leak onto the spark plugs causing misfires. When the engine misfires due to oil getting on the spark plug, the engine oil will burn. Since oil and tires are both petroleum products, they will both smell similar when they are burning. I would recommend having an oil leak inspection performed by a qualified professional to determine if there is an oil leak. Consider YourMechanic as an Oil/Fluid leak inspection can be peformed at your home or office.

ANSWER : Hi there:

Sometimes when you have problems starting an engine initially it is caused by a restriction in fuel flow; caused either by clogged fuel injectors or the throttle body that needs to be cleaned. Once the fuel starts to flow and engine warms up, it’s much easier to start. However, it could also be an air filter, EGR valve or other components that causes this issue as well, which is why it’s best to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection so they can pinpoint the source of this issue.

ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. It all depends where the smoke is coming from. If it is from the exhaust then your engine be running rich and starting to foul out the spark plugs. Have the computer tested to see if any codes are present that could indicate what is causing the smoke. If you see smoke from the engine compartment then you may be running the engine hot due to low airflow over the radiator. Have the cooling fan checked to make sure it is running. If it is running and the vehicle has the AC running and the blower is on or near high then you may be using more energy than the alternator can keep up with. This can cause the radiator fan to not turn as fast as it should and let the temperature to rise if idled for long periods. 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.

ANSWER : Your MAP sensor is an important input for your computer. It helps determine the load on the engine to calculate the correct amount of fuel to inject. It sometimes takes a few seconds for the vehicle to realize that the sensor is not producing a good signal.

At that point, it will use other methods to determine the fuel rate, such as pre-programmed fuel maps, throttle position, etc. I would suggest replacing the MAP sensor and retesting. If you would like to have it checked first, a certified technician from YourMechanic will be able to scan your vehicle and test components to determine the root cause of your starting issue before making a repair.

ANSWER : Hi there. The dreaded rotten egg smell is caused by either a clutch that is damaged or the catalytic converter that needs to be replaced. I would recommend before you take your car to any repair facility or attempt any repairs; first have a professional mechanic come to your location and complete a car starts then dies inspection. This will allow them to pinpoint the source of your issues and recommend the right repairs.

ANSWER : Hi there. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer technical assistance when aftermarket components or electrical upgrades are installed, as there are simply too many different things that could be causing your ignition problem. I would recommend contacting a local audio visual installation company or local automotive shop that completes electrical repairs to get some ideas, or purchase a service and repair manual for your Dodge to review the relay schematic to determine which ones you need to check and replace. This video might help you learn how to check for damaged relays – so you might want to watch it.