Some Strange Vibrations (You haven't seen this before)

[nickelghandi]

I have another topic on here about vibrations at speed that I have almost determined is related to my front drive shaft. This is different. Many people on here have a strange vibration when stopped at a traffic light or idling in drive. I have this as well. What I also have is a very intense vibration while stopped, in drive, when I use any electronic component in the vehicle. I first noticed this because one of my windows was slightly down and I put it up. When I did this, the car almost shuddered and vibrated intensely through the steering wheel. When I got home, I left the Pathfinder in drive and tried various other electronic components. The CD player doesn't cause it, but activating the cassette player does occasionally. Turning the high beams on doesn't cause it, but turning them off does. Rolling windows up or down brings it on. Turning the wheel just enough to activate the power steering, but not enough to actually begin turning the tires will also bring it on.

My thought is maybe an engine mount? Any electrical current will cause a draw on the alternator and a bit of parasitic drag on the engine which will in turn change the frequency of the engine (RPMs) slightly. I can only notice it at idle but it may do it at speed as well. This would be tough to tell since I am currently fighting the other vibration presumably from my front drive shaft when at speed. My exhaust system is also in need of some maintenance so it could be that, again caused by subtle changes in the RPMs or vibrations the engine makes.

I have never even heard of anything like this before so any guesses I have are total shots in the dark. I do have a 1" lift all around, but it did this before as well, so I believe that to be unrelated.

It is extremely annoying and mildly concerning. I will try to get it on video from both inside and outside the car so you guys can get an idea of what it sounds like.

I know there are tons of threads dealing with vibrations on this forum, and I own one of them already, but I have never seen (or rather heard) anything like this before, so I thought it was at least worth documenting.

[veery]

Perhaps there is an issue with grounding in the car such that changes in current draw load your alternator excessively.
Do you have an auto transmission?

[nickelghandi]

I haven't thought much about that. It seems like there would be noticeable changes in the output from the battery in terms of voltages. I have a ScanGuage and the voltage readings from the battery seem normal. They are about 14-14.5 volts whether I am moving or at idle. I will check the readings when using the electrical components here in a bit and post back.

[nickelghandi]

Alright... I have recorded the way the ScanGuage reads the voltage and the RPM drop when I activate the window up switches. The videos are below. The first one is with the car in park. The second is in drive. Both are with the engine warm.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2rqjv8code5rj ... 0.mp4?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/y3vd81t4gnbjj ... 2.mp4?dl=0

I would say it might be a grounding issue, but I have no clue...