Q: Engine shaking and car having trouble starting

asked by on June 12, 2017

Whenever I start my car, it has trouble turning over. Once it does turn over, my engine begins to shake and jerk the whole car. When it drives, it drives normal, but when I stop at a red light, the engine jerks and jerks the whole car. It has new spark plugs and coils. The fuel injectors are good as well

My car has 149000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Idle Control Valve Replacement $162.54 - $1028.01 Get a Quote

What you are describing sounds like a dirty or failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve monitors the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds and at idle. This valve is controlled by the vehicle’s computer and will adjust idle speed based upon other measurements such as engine temperature, intake air temperature and electrical system load or voltage. This is also an important function when starting the motor as it allows the motor to run and idle on it’s own once the motor fires. When you accelerate, the engine RPM increases, and as you let off the gas, the RPM slowly returns to the normal idling speed with the help of the idle air control valve making the transition from a higher RPM back down to idle speed while adjusting the air/fuel ratio constantly to allow this to happen smoothly. When the engine RPM drops below the normal range of about 800 RPM, this often times will cause the engine to stall indicating a dirty or faulty idle air control valve. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

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

How do I break in the engine?
If you purchase a new vehicle, you want to break in the engine by driving it carefully at first. For the first 300 miles, you should try to drive it as safely as possible at varying engine RPMs not exceeding...
Air not blowing
Hi. I am assuming you are talking about the a/c blower motor. I would say you have a bad blower motor resistor mounted on the blower case which would allow it to only work on high. But now, since the...
no crank with new starter, starter relay, battery, alternater.
If you tried jumping the contacts on the starter directly, then your problem is most likely a power or ground issue. The battery ground cable may not be making a good connection at the engine ground, or there could be...
cranks but won't start - 1988 Mazda 323
Hi there. You need to check to see if the new spark plugs have spark. If not, then the engine should be checked to see if it has a bad coil (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-coil-replacement) or spark signal from ignition module. If you...
There is a leak around the thermostat housing which resulted in decreasing water in the radiator
Hi there. First thing we need to determine is from where on the housing is the coolant leaking. If it is coming from the thermostat location in the housing, it could simply be a thermostat gasket/O-ring leaking. If the leak...
I cannot move my car in reverse when on a hill, nothing happens when I press the gas pedal
The Nissan Rogue is equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission. They are known to experience issues such as not moving in any gear when the gas pedal is applied, even floored. It may be slipping due to internal issues with...
Won't turn over. No crank.
If the alternator quite working, this will mean the battery is likely discharged, which would be a normal condition when an alternator fails. The starting system uses ten times the current of every other electrical system on the car. It...
i have a 2005 dodge ram 1500 that makes a clicking noise when i turn what is this
If your vehicle is 4WD with CV axles in the front, a common cause of clicking and clunking in the circumstances that you describe is a faulty outer CV joint. Such can often be detected on visual exam and with...
Replaced the camshaft position sensor and still goes into safe mode ? 2000 BMW 740i
Hi there - I believe your real problem is a failed timing chain guide, which has shifted the cam timing beyond what the sensor can deal with. This is a common problem with BMW V8s with extended mileage. The solution...

Related articles

How Car Keypad Locks Work
Pioneered Pioneered by Ford, keypads let you lock, unlock without keys Pioneered by Ford, keypad door systems began appearing on high-end car and SUV products in the early 1980s. Ford took advantage of the then-new digital computer revolution – the...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2007 Ford Crown Victoria
This This enduring Ford classic enjoyed a nearly two-decade run before being discontinued from the retail market with the 2007 model-year being the last. Ever-popular with law enforcement (for whom models continued in production through 2011), and senior citizens, the...
2012 Ford F-150 vs. 2012 Chevrolet Silverado: Which One Should I Buy?
When you’re ready to really get some work done, there’s nothing like a full size pickup truck. These trucks are ready to haul a big load and really get in there and get busy. SUVs are great for moving people,...