Any ideas on causes of vibration at idle?

[Technarch]

My car tends to vibrate more at idle when in drive at a stop than it used to. I've also noticed sometimes when I brake I can brake 'just so' and the idle will be smoother but often the idle will be vibrating and I can feel it in the steering wheel and through the body a bit..

When driving it seems ok.

I'd like to smoothen it out a bit but am not sure what I should try doing.

[FocusZTec]

same here i thought it was normal guess not

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00" 5-Speed Infra Red ZX3
Mods:
Xenon Kit/Custom mesh grills painted white
New Edge Perfomance Clear SideMarkers/Slotted Brake Rotors & EBC Green Stuff
SCA 2.5 B&G Springs
Team Dynamics 17' Monzas With Yokohoma Paradas 205/45/17ZR
Nopi Dual Headlight Conversion & APR Roof Type Wing
SpeedPeople Indiglo Gauges
FocusSport Wire plugs
Cervinis Mach 5 Hood
WingsWest 3 Piece wing style hatch.
Tenzo R Exhaust, Neon Light Painted mirrors back,and side moldings.
AOL S/N - FocusTypeXenon

[**DONOTDELETE**]

try raising your idle by unplugging the power steering pressure switch at the back of the power steering pump, this has worked for me. it's a two wire plug that clips into the back of the power steering pump, i have had mine unplugged for months and my idle is much smoother and more consistent.

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RON
2001 sedan/zetec/automatic

[Technarch]

Something else worth mentioning.. Today I lowered my oil level because it was too high. (Still could use a little more lowering I think).. Anyways, my idle is smoother.. there is less vibration now..

So that is a clue that too high oil levels can cause vibration.

When I lowered my car oil I noticed an immediate improvement in the smoothness of the drive, acceleration and stuff. It just felt better and I was happy the idle was better too.

I've never been to a dealership that has ever put in the right amount of oil. I do it myself now.

[spankenstein]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RON516:
try raising your idle by unplugging the power steering pressure switch at the back of the power steering pump, this has worked for me. it's a two wire plug that clips into the back of the power steering pump, i have had mine unplugged for months and my idle is much smoother and more consistent.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Did this have any effect on power?

[danyulc]

How can I tell the right amount of oil? Because I don't know a lot about cars and I know that the oil change place put too much in. What point on the dipstick should I be at for the proper oil level? Should I just siphon it out?

-danyulc

[Technarch]

I don't see how you can siphon it out.. Just get underneath the car and use a 13mm socket on the drain pan plug and let the right amount come out into the container you're using. (Remember to pour it into a bottle after, and take it to a disposal place like a walmart auto centre or something.)

On your dipstick it says MIN and MAX.. the correct level is probably between 50 and 75% of the distance between min and max. Don't have it at max.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

spankenstein: unplugging the power steering pump pressure switch does not increase power, it does raise the idle by about 50 to 75 rpm which seemed to help get rid of the stumble i had right at take off.

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RON
2001 sedan/zetec/automatic