The engine in my 1997 Intrepid stumbles (shakes) at 40mph and about 60mph when I am accelerating. I have replaced the plugs and wires. Putting the car in third gear does not correct the problem. I have had the tires rotated and balanced, but that does not correct the problem. I am assuming it is the engine because the rpm's increase and then settle at about 2700 when the shaking stops. What can be the problem? Thanks in advance.
Brother :cool:
kilogolf
10-23-2005, 10:49 PM
Tough question to answer with the info you submitted. Your replacing the plugs/wires indicate that you might have thought it an engine problem. Tires rotated and balanced would suggest a something else. If you can determine it's not the engine, it sounds like you may need a frontend and or rear alignment.
Brother
10-24-2005, 07:57 PM
I took it to Transmission shop and was told that it is the torque convertor. Of course they want to operate, but I am not willing to spend $1,500 to $2,500 dollars on a car that is only worth about $4,000. Will draining the transmission and sucking the fluid out of the torque convertor help? One transmission shop told me not to drain the fluid out of the convertor and another one told that it will help, but I need use their special cleaner they sale to make sure that all the metal shavings and old fluid is removed. I don't know enough about transmissions to make an educated decission.
Brother
kilogolf
10-24-2005, 09:50 PM
Ah geez. You've got me there. I'm not familiar enough with trannys to even guess which way you should go on this. Sorry man. Bump to ANYONE?!
mgoblue9798
02-08-2006, 11:54 PM
I have owned several cars that had a similar problem to the one you have mentioned. At about 45mph, the car starts to shake. If it is indeed the torque converter, which sounds like the case based on your description, it will continue to get worse. What is happening is newer vehicles have lock up torque converters- ie instead of a fluid coupling like the old style converters, once a certain speed is reached the new converters become direct drive via a clutch pack inside the converter. When this clutch pack engages, it can cause what starts out as a mild shudder for a brief moment to eventually feeling like it will shake you out of the car when it gets worse. Before you spend big $ on a new converter, go and buy a small bottle
of posi traction gear oil additive. Posi rear ends have a similar clutch pack in them that engages to spin both axles, and this additive is designed to keep the rear end clutch pack from chattering. It is not specifically designed for the tranny, but I have had several cars that this has worked on and fixed the problem. Put one small 3-4 oz bottle right in the trans fluid, drive for a week, if still not completely fixed add another. It will not fix it immediately as it has to mix with the trans fluid and work into the clutches in the converter. Hope this helps.
bud L
02-15-2006, 01:30 PM
if it isn't a trans problem, I'd change the fuel filter
larry price
03-29-2006, 05:47 PM
based on the info. it sounds like trans to me, but if not check motor mounts
dodgefan360
05-07-2006, 10:17 AM
You can't drain fluid out of a torque converter as it's a sealed unit. If you plan to spend the money for a shop to take the tq. converter off, then you might as well just get another installed. Adding aftermarket additives might help. The additives could also make it worse. New engine mounts would help quell the vibrations. You'd have to look into it, but your tranny might have it's own mounts as well!
AlaskanRam
06-29-2006, 07:23 AM
you cant completely drain the fluid out of the convertor due to its shape, but the torque convertor itself is not a sealed unit. If you want to make perfectly sure its the convertor, once the vehicle starts shaking, quickly press the brakes. That should automatically disengage the convertor clutch before it struggles to hook up. If it doesnt stop shaking right as you press it, you should probably start checking somewhere else. You can also check it by keeping your tranny in low range, so it is operating in second gear at the speeds you discribed. The ttc will not engage any time in second gear, so if you still get the shake, its not the convertor. The tranny does have a rear mount, located on the cross member at the rear of the sub frame. The stupid thing is, if it does turn out to be the convertor, its only about a $75 part. So if you or some buddys have the ability to drop the tranny, you can save yourself a lot of money.
