J30t Check Engine Light, Car Shakes when Idle

[robtastic84]

Luckily the car doesn't have any issues at high speeds or high RPMs.

But sometimes it shakes when its idle.

Every once in a while 1-2 times a week for a minute or more the car when in idle at random times it starts shaking like a mini earth quake and the engine light comes on. It stops when I accelerate and usually if I restart the car it starts working normally again, but I can't figure out what it is.

It never lasts long, but I'm worried that the car is trying to warn me about something thats about to break.

Any ideas?

[goody90q45]

.......It never lasts long, but I'm worried that the car is trying to warn me about something thats about to break. Any ideas?

Your J is trying to tell you that something is about to break. The ECU is located behind the passenger side kick panel and you'll need to pull the codes to cut down on the guesswork. There's a pair of sticky articles at the top of this forum (J30/M30), one for reading codes for a 93-95 (OBD1) and another for the 96-97 (OBD2).

I'm not a J30 expert but if I was a betting man I'd put my money on a dying fuel injector or an EGR valve issue. Pull the codes and let us know what comes up.

[yodawill2000]

Raise you ten on the Dying Fuel injector !!
Had that same issue twice in my J lifetime.
Have to pull each injector connector one at a time when the shaking is going on,
and the one that doesn't change the idle is the culprit.
After narrowing down the cylinder you need to switch the coil pack to anther cylinder and see if the problem follows.
Same with the spark plug if the coil test renders null.
If moving coil and plug doesn't change the effected cylinder its injector/O-ring replacement time !!

http://www.fuzzycats.com/docs/j30_fuel_ ... cement.pdf


Oh and ...
Welcome to NICO !!!!

[driverdriver]

shaking at idle, a little rumble when you gas it, is indicative of fuel injector failure.

ohn test your injectors. If they're in the 10-14 ohm range, they're good. Anything below or above that indicates injector failure.

Also swap test your ignition coils. Sometimes one of them failing will present as fuel injector failure.

[robtastic84]

Thank you so much for the quick and friendly response.

All great suggestions, the J30 is my only car right now so I can't risk anything happening to her.

I'm going to get it hooked up to a computer tomorrow, so I'll be able to post the codes by then.

Whatever it is, I hope it isn't expensive and I can do it on my own.

-Rob

[goody90q45]

....I'm going to get it hooked up to a computer tomorrow, so I'll be able to post the codes by then. Whatever it is, I hope it isn't expensive and I can do it on my own.

Hopefully you're not paying to have the codes read. It's a simple and quick DIY job and you don't have to get greasy.

[robtastic84]

CODE 45

The guy said it was a fuel injector seal leaking. He said to replace them all would be $300 dollars.

Is it worth the 300 is it easy enough to do on your own, or should someone with not THAT much car experience not even attempt such a maneuver.

Your guy's input has been extremely helpful so far.

-Rob

[swimshark]

i would ohm test your injectors first. each injector should be between 10-14ohms. if one isnt then it is bad.

do you smell and gas fumes?

i had an issue when i replaced my injectors, i had pinched the lower o-rings on 2 of the injectors and it was dumping fuel past the injector into my cylinders. i am glad i didnt hydro lock my car. the j30 injectors have 2 o-rings when it sits in the fuel rail since it is a mid feed style injector. if injectors all ohm correctly it is probably the lower o-ring.

does the $300 include labor and parts? if so id make sure that is a set amount. i would say that it is a pretty good price. when i asked how much it would cost to replace my injectors at the infiniti dealership they quoted me $1300 in labor alone and thats doing pretty much the same as what that guy will be doing for you.

if you arent too car savvy i wouldnt attempt it. you have to remove the upper plenum and the fuel rail which will take a few hours just to get off alone. expect to have your fuel lines and some coolant lines replaced also.