Annoying dash vibration from the engine on 94 SE-R Please help!

[xbeaus]

Hello,

Just recently picked up a 94 SE-R coupe. It's white and is in really good shape for it's age. Has about 134,000 miles on the odometer. I have one problem I need to fix and I think it's motor mounts. When I start the car I can feel the vibration into the dash and the steering wheel. It's not bad just noisy. I'm new to the Nissan SE-R and I've had a similar problem in an old VW GTI I used to have. I'm assuming this is what the problem is but I would like to get some input from this message board.

It also has the heater control problem where the fan only works on off and high. Nothing in the middle. This sounds like some type of resistor to me. I'll keep researching but if any one could chime in and help me fix these little problems I'd appreciate it!

[Faja]

for the heater, it's most likely the blower motor resistor as you alluded to

[xbeaus]

Here is a pic

[xbeaus]

for the heater, it's most likely the blower motor resistor as you alluded to

Where would this resistor be located? On the motor itself or by the switches in the dash?

[Faja]

It's normally under the dash at the passenger side. It's with the blower itself.
Modified by Faja at 7:40 PM 10/8/2009

[xbeaus]

Anybody know anything about the motor mounts? Are they hard or easy to take out and install? The car goes down the road great it's just at idle I notice the vibration. At first I thought it was exhaust but I don't think it could cause the vibration as it is doing now.

[nametakennow]

Front and rear motor mounts are very easy to get to. There's a crossmember running under the engine. I'd visually inspect them first, vibration could be a lot of things. Does it increase with revs?

[xbeaus]

well the front one I know is bad. I can take it in my hand and moveit all over the place. I'm guessing most of my vibration is coming from that one. The vibration carries out into the bumper cover a little to.

It doesn't happen when I rev. It actually smooths it out so that does make sense that I have a bad mount.

[lino]

Those cars seem to be very reliable. I see so many of them still on the road and with very high mileage. Yours looks pretty clean. Congrats.

[xbeaus]

Thanks. I've had quite a few different economy cars and this one is by far the quickest little car I've had. The G20 Sounds like a good motor. I'm taking it into a Nissan dealer which I don't usually do to just give it a good diagnostic. Also I replaced the front motor mount and inspected the others. Mounts are all good but the rattle is still there. Seems to go away as the car warms up. More noticeable when cold. Maybe it could be fuel related? I'm surprised at the gas mileage of this car also. It's been getting 35mpg around town. Now I need some winter tires! This will be my snowboard mountain commuter for sure.

[jdansmith]

Good looking car, lots of fun to drive. Take care of that ride and it will take of you. Ive been looking for one like that and they are hard to find around here under 200k. Let me know if you decide to part with it.

[RED_DET]

The passenger side motor mount is the first one to take a dump in most cases. I would replace passenger with oem and the dog bone mounts(crossmember) with ES inserts.

The blower motor resistor is located underneath the glove box on the fire wall. Looks like a video car for a pc.

[xbeaus]

Is there any reason you would prefer the Energy Suspension mounts for the front and back over stock? I'm not doing anything to the motor to use stronger motor mounts. Which web site would you recommend as I came across a few that sells the energy suspension product.

[RED_DET]

http://suspension.com/Energy%20Suspension.htm

I would definitely replace the front dogbone mount with an es insert as it is very weak. The rear will be a PITA to install, so it is not necessary. The es mounts will help with any wheel hop and keep the motor from moving around under hard acceleration.

[xbeaus]

I've been trying to solve a dash vibration my car has. 94 SE-R. 5 speed. Between 1000 and 2000 the dash in the car vibrates with acceleration. Only when I'm sitting in Neutral though. I don't notice it as much when I'm on the move. When cold it seems louder right upon start up. Here is what I've checked:

Motor mounts: I jacked up the motor and seen if there was any play and while I had the motor lifted slighty (tried on both sides) I could duplicate the same problem. Upon visual inspection my motor mounts look and feel really good to.

I cleaned out the throttle body with some seafoam as per instructions on the can. It wasn't that dirty but was not clean.

I checked all my plugs of which all look great. Although I did notice the PO did install Bosch platinums in the car. I would of used NGK but that is something I noticed.

Checked distributor cap and there was build up on the contacts of which I cleaned off.

Engine seems to run perfect. I don't lose any oil.

The PO did say they installed a performance clutch. Not sure which kind. It shifts just fine.

Before I take it in to get it diagnosed I'd like some opinions. It's a rather annoying noise and I think it's not normal.

Sorry for the long post! Want to get this fixed so I can replace other things!

[RED_DET]

Why on earth did you start another thread about the same thing? I am merging this with the original post you started.

Fix the motor mount and solve your problem. I don't know what else to tell you.

[xbeaus]

well thanks for adding them together. Started a new one because I added what I had found to my initial problem. And I did check my mounts and there is nothing wrong with them.

[RED_DET]

I'm telling you with 134k miles on the odometer, the passenger side motor mount is shot. There is no other reason for the vibration, unless the bolts for the mounts are loose. My money is on the passenger side mount. I have seen it too many times and replaced countless mounts.

There is no reason to start a thread to add information pertaining to the original thread, just add it here.

[xbeaus]

Alright. I'm gonna go get the mount and replace it. Thanks for your help and sorry for being such a newb on the forum. I'll take your word for it and replace it!

[xbeaus]

Good looking car, lots of fun to drive. Take care of that ride and it will take of you. Ive been looking for one like that and they are hard to find around here under 200k. Let me know if you decide to part with it.

shoot me an e-mail. I just picked up this car and have fixed a few little things and BAM!! My Main floor bathroom bathtub fixture leaked all over the inside of my wall and now I'm tearing it out. Well - now i need money for that. crap. e-mail is [email protected]

[ABNRML4U]

Nice B-13 Classic you have there I have a 92' B-13 and Im just having a lot of fun with it. Nice to see another B-13 here Good luck with yours.

[xbeaus]

RED_DET was exactly right about the motor mount. It didn't look bad at all but when I took it off you could see where the mount was rubbing againt the bracket that holds it to the car body. Car is super smooth now! Thanks a lot for your information on this. Now the headliner fun begins!