QuestionI have a 99 Chrysler LHS, new oil change less than 45 days old, new fan motor install less than 30 days ago. Now a very noticable vibration of the car especially when in gear and idle/stopped. When I put the car in Park the you feel minimum vibration. Please help!!!!!
AnswerHi Angela,
Vibration of the engine usually means that one or more the six cylinders is not operating to its fullest ability to provide power. But why the combustion of the fuel charge is not effective could be due to a variety of causes related to the fuel mixture, the ignition spark, or a mechanical issue internal to the engine.
Fortunately there is some on-board diagnostic ability that you can take advantage of to diagnose the cause. There are two possible ways to get what is known as a fault code which is a number that is stored in the engine control computer's memory if it has information about what is wrong. It may be possible to get any such number by using the ignition key: Turn it "on-off-on-off-on and leave it on"
doing that in 5 seconds or less elapsed time. Then watch the odometer window of the speedometer to see if the mileage reading is replaced by one or more 4-digit numbers, which would be the codes.
If that doesn't work, then an external code reader has to be plugged into the socket under the dash. It is possible that you could get a free readout if there is an Autozone Parts store near you, so try that if there is one. Alternatively you can go to a shop where on a typical "special" you can get a readout for $40.
Whichever way you get the codes, be sure to get the 4-digit number(s) and anything else they choose to tell you. Then write back and tell me what you learned and we will go on from there to make sure that the correct repair is done.
Also, tell me which size engine you have: 2.7 or 3.2L
Roland
