[rothwem]

I'm chasing a weird vibration right now, it only happens when the car is warmed up and I nail it in 3rd or 4th gear. It almost feels like a misfire, but the coils and plugs were changed just over a month ago.

Is there a different ECU map used for 1st and 2nd that isn't used on 3rd gear plus? Its driving me nuts since 3rd is what I use to blast (heh, relatively speaking...for a 3800 lb wagon) onto the highway with. I don't have any vibration in 1st or 2nd gear.

[rick100]

Any codes?

I would re check the plugs and coils just to make sure everything was installed right . I had the same issues but once the plugs were replaced everything came back to normal.

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by rothwem

Is there a different ECU map used for 1st and 2nd that isn't used on 3rd gear plus?

Nope.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by rick100

Any codes?

I would re check the plugs and coils just to make sure everything was installed right . I had the same issues but once the plugs were replaced everything came back to normal.

No codes. I've triple checked the coil connections, but if it was a bad coil, it would happen in all gears, right?

[rick100]

Originally Posted by rothwem

No codes. I've triple checked the coil connections, but if it was a bad coil, it would happen in all gears, right?

I had a bad plug and it will only happen between 55 - 75 mph

You could do a adaptation reset.But I m assuming you have manual tranny

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by rick100

I had a bad plug and it will only happen between 55 - 75 mph

You could do a adaptation reset.But I m assuming you have manual tranny

Hmm. I gapped all the plugs myself and replaced them about a month ago.

Could it be an axle? setting up a vibration only at certain speeds that correspond with 3rd and 4th? How would I check that?

[anjuna]

you have a bad universal joint on your driveshaft.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by anjuna

you have a bad universal joint on your driveshaft.

Interesting. Any way to check this without just throwing a new driveshaft on?

[anjuna]

Originally Posted by rothwem

Interesting. Any way to check this without just throwing a new driveshaft on?

drop the driveshaft and inspect the joints. They should move/pivot freely.

You might also notice (depending on the severity) that with the windows down you can hear a squeak as you drive.

Mine was really bad so it squeaked and vibrated.

Dropping the driveshaft is about a 20 minute ordeal with your tools out and car jacked up. It will also give you a chance to examine your coupler (guibo).

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by anjuna

drop the driveshaft and inspect the joints. They should move/pivot freely.

You might also notice (depending on the severity) that with the windows down you can hear a squeak as you drive.

Mine was really bad so it squeaked and vibrated.

Dropping the driveshaft is about a 20 minute ordeal with your tools out and car jacked up. It will also give you a chance to examine your coupler (guibo).

So, dumb question though, wouldn't a driveshaft vibrate the same for a given speed, regardless of gear and throttle position?

Did yours get worse when you hit the gas? Did it go away when you let off?

[anjuna]

Originally Posted by rothwem

So, dumb question though, wouldn't a driveshaft vibrate the same for a given speed, regardless of gear and throttle position?

Did yours get worse when you hit the gas? Did it go away when you let off?

If there is play in the joint, it will change based on which side is driving which.

If accelerating, the engine is driving the rear end.
If decelerating, the rear end is driving the engine (overrun conditions).

I do not believe that my experiences will play into your situation - my driveshaft had been driven to the point of complete seizure by the previous owner. The car still drove, but the joint was absolutely seized.

[rothwem]

Just to wrap this thread up...it turned out to be my transfer case, apparently the clutches are chattering and causing the vibration. I was really skeptical, but unplugging the actuator solved all my issues, and they're replaced by an awesome "4x4!" lamp on the dash.

Now there's the issue of a $2400 TC replacement...

[meltawab]

I know this is an old thread, I have exactly the same problem, how can I unplug the actuator? Thank you!

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by rothwem

Just to wrap this thread up...it turned out to be my transfer case, apparently the clutches are chattering and causing the vibration. I was really skeptical, but unplugging the actuator solved all my issues, and they're replaced by an awesome "4x4!" lamp on the dash.

Now there's the issue of a $2400 TC replacement...

I also realize this is old, but probably all he needed to do was replace his fluid and reset the transfercase.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by meltawab

I know this is an old thread, I have exactly the same problem, how can I unplug the actuator? Thank you!

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

I also realize this is old, but probably all he needed to do was replace his fluid and reset the transfercase.

I did just replace the fluid and it fixed the problem. Until you get the fluid in and get the time to do the fluid exchange (it's not too bad), you can just unplug the actuator and run RWD. The actuator is on the side of the transfer case and it has a wiring hardness plugged into it. Just wrap the plugs in some tape so road grime doesn't get in there.

You get a bunch of scary looking dash lights, and I'm not sure if you'll have DSC, but it's fine for temporary usage.

[meltawab]

Thank you guys for replying to me even if it's a really old thread.

I believe you are right! I see someone had the same problem and he said he tried to change the transfer case fluid at the end and it fixed the problem.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1387373

I will do that as soon as possible!

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by meltawab

Thank you guys for replying to me even if it's a really old thread.

I believe you are right! I see someone had the same problem and he said he tried to change the transfer case fluid at the end and it fixed the problem.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1387373

I will do that as soon as possible!

Haha, that was me. Same OP. Good luck with everything.

[meltawab]

I was able to change the Transfer case fluid today, unfortunately I didn't feel any difference afterwards.

Before moving to the next step of finding my problem, Do I need to reset the adaption to feel any difference? I didn't do that yet.

Thank you so much for your support!

[hassmaschine]

You should reset the transfercase, yes.