1. Home
  2. Saturn Cars Forum
  3. 1993 SL1 Manual Is "Jerking"

1993 SL1 Manual Is "Jerking"

Hello everyone.

I found this newsgroup and hope that others can help. I saw that some others have had similar type problems so I attempted to fix most of those that I could.

I have a 1993 Saturn SL-1 (manual transmission) with just under 165k miles on it. It's been a very reliable car, until now.

I've noticed that while between 1500-2000 RPM (in any gear), the car will begin to shake (sometimes violently, sometimes slightly) when slowing down. It may happen at other RPM's, but 2000 RPM seems to be the "start" of it. The weather conditions (I'm in New England) don't appear to affect the performance or frequency.

There is no service engine soon indication. I've replaced the spark plugs and wire set, replaced the fuel filter, air filter, and oxygen sensor. Neither seemed to help diagnose or correct the problem.

I called Saturn and they told me that it could be a "bunch of things" and that I could bring it in and they'd try to diagnose it. At $80/hr here, I'd rather not have them throw parts if they aren't sure. Getting a new window regulator from them was hassle enough!

The car is regularly serviced and well maintained.

Any suggestions? (remove "NOSPAM" to reply privately)

Thanks in advance!

Reply to
M. Lawson
Loading thread data ...

More detail in describing the problem and some basic troubleshooting would help us to provide a few possible causes for you to check. For instance, you say the car shakes while "slowing down" in any gear... Is this possibly related to your brakes (warped front disc rotors?) or does it occur while "coasting to a stop" without application of the brakes? If not the brakes, does it happen if the vehicle is in neutral which would indicate a suspension or steering problem? If only when the engine is engaged to the transmission, then let us know that as well.

I'd guess brake rotors and possibly front suspension. You need to either take it in for diagnosis or troubleshoot it more and provide details here.

Bob

Reply to
Bob Shuman

Hi Bob!

Thanks for the reply.

Sorry! I knew I forgot about the brakes... New rotors (had the problem before and after), and brakes are good as well. Mechanics didn't think that was the problem when I asked him, though.

It's hard to describe the shaking the car is making. For example, on the way home from work, I depressed the brake slightly after being in

5th gear... the car did it's violent shaking thing. Almost feels as if the engine is knocking back against the car. I didn't have the cluth depressed while I was slowing down. The brake wasn't being pressed hard, either. It seems to start exactly at the 2000 rpm mark, though. That part, at least, is consistent.

I don't remember if I've noticed it happening in neutral. I will try tomorrow on my way to work. I also seem to remember that when the clutch is pressed, it's not as noticable. Although, I will retest this as it's been so "normal" to experience this, I'm kind of used to it.

Thanks again!

ML (remove NOSPAM to reply)

Bob Shuman wrote:

Reply to
M. Lawson

Bob (and group),

I tried paying better attention to the characteristics. It seems as if I'm slowing down (with brake, not just coasting) and I am in gear, the jerking will be present. The RPM's drop drastically (to way under 1000) when I am not in gear and slowing down -- but the jerking is not present.

So, it would seem that this is happening only when the engine is engaged in gear.

Something I also noticed was that sometimes at idle, or when starting from a stop, is that the RPM will sort of spike up to about 2100 and then back down to close to 0. This doesn't seem to happen with any more than a light press on the gas and doesn't repeat all the time.

I'm all ears... any ideas?

Thanks again! (remove NOSPAM in my email address to reply privately)

Bob Shuman wrote:

Reply to
M. Lawson

"M. Lawson" typed until their fingers bled, and came up with:

check your top engine mount (Torque Axis Mount). If the rubber is torn, replace it. $35 at Advance Auto.

Reply to
Kevin M. Keller

I'm still not sure I fully understand the conditions causing the jerking. Seems you need the engine engaged AND the brakes applied. I'd still be thinking badly warped front brake rotors as the most likely cause. I'd suspect the top engine (torque axis) motor mount as a possible cause as well. These are all easily replaced, but you need to do more troubleshooting and diagnosis to determine which is causing your symptoms.

Bob

Reply to
Bob Shuman

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.