Q: car shakes badly after start when sitting briefly but is okay after sitting hours

asked by on September 30, 2017

My son went to his apartment for lunch yesterday and after 45 mins he started it to drive back to work. It was shaking so violently that he could not drive it. He said, "feels like the engine is going to fall out". He got a Uber rider to work, then home, and started it again. It behaved normally (it had sat for hours). He drove it to AutoZone and left it running while they checked the codes, which indicated cylinder misfire and bad fuel injections (P0202 and P302). He bought a cleaning product and filled up with gas, but the car shook violently again at starting at the gas station. He waited an hour and it still shook, so got a friend to pick him up and went home. He went back this morning and car started normally and he drove it 30 minutes to allow the cleaning product to mix with fuel. He is waiting to see if this product helps, but I'm concerned.

My car has 115000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

DVD and CD players jammed, navigation not working.
When the DVD player and the CD player on your vehicle cannot eject a disc it is because the loading/unloading motor in the unit has failed. Besides taking the unit apart to retrieve the discs there is not much that...
Valve gaskets need replacing.
Hi. Your cooling and oil systems would need to be checked for leaks. These are two separate issues. The cooling system should not be getting low, except for a very small amount over a six to twelve month period. The...
Check Engine light; catalytic converter
When a catalytic converter begins to fail, the computer will give a reading of the code P0420 and/or code P0430 which pertains to catalyst efficiency. The catalytic converter is, in a way, like a metal filter that traps toxic gases...
I found a old fuel pump relay. Do I need to check that first before I get a fuel pump. I had the car for 6 years and I found one i
You can try it but a new relay is pretty cheap and you'll spare yourself the question of whether it is good or not. If the fuel pump turns out to be bad, then I would put a new pump...
Car hesitates while accelerating, EGR valve is a recurring issue - 1999 Isuzu Amigo
Hello. If replacing the EGR valve (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/exhaust-gas-recirculation-egr-valve-replacement) did not fix the issue, then the EGR valve was likely not the failed component. I would check to make sure that there are no exhaust leaks in the EGR system, as any...
4wd not working, just making a clicking nose
Hi, thanks for writing in. It sounds like you have the NV233 transfercase. The transfercase control module receives input from various sensors and switches, including the tranfercase range switch. It then uses this information to engage the transfercase actuator/encoder motor...
If I have a bad throttle position sensor will my car hesitate to start
Hello There, I believe you are correct in that you may have a faulty throttle position sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/throttle-position-sensor-replacement). There are trouble codes that are typically associated with the TPS. One code will set if the TPS voltage is too high...
The turn signals are not working.
Hi there. The turn signals could be not working for an electrical issue in the circuitry from the switch to the system. Check to see if the hazards work on the vehicle. Even though the hazard switch is in a...
My car will only shift into reverse and neutral, can't get it into the drive gear
This may be a result of low transmission fluid (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-fluid-service) or potentially a faulty transmission control module. A faulty transmission control module may cause a delay in acceleration or erratic shifting of gears. The transmission control module has various sensors...

Related articles

2012 GMC Acadia vs. 2012 Dodge Journey: Which One Should I Buy?
The GMC Acadia is classed as a midsize SUV, which is able to seat between six and seven passengers comfortably. The 2012 Acadia offers three rows of seating, so passengers will feel the roominess that is typical in a true...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Massage Therapist
If If you're a massage therapist, one of the cornerstones of your business has to be that you don’t keep your clients waiting. That means you need a vehicle that’s reliable. You also will have to move your gear, including...
How to Charge a Dead Car Battery
The battery in your car can go dead for any number of reasons leaving you stranded. It can be low from lights being...