Vibrations

[funnyman82]

Hey everyone,

While i am idle at a light, my truck has a slight vibration on the steering wheel. Also i feel that there is a vibration under the vehicle. What is this? Also my "service engine soon" light is on for which i have made an appointment at the dealer...I assume it is an O2 sensor, but what are these vibrations?

Btw, it is a 2002 QX4

Thanks,

funnyman82

[Dr.Dan]

If the CEL light is on, it's probably not running right... worry about that first and then see if it still has a vibration.

[funnyman82]

Thanks Doc,

I have made an appointment for tomorrow. I hope it is nothing major. Have you heard of something like this?

[Dr.Dan]

Heard something about vibrations? Sure. Most vehicals have them... and as they get older they get worse... that's normal.

But you have a CEL on, so we know the engine isn't running right and is probably shaking more than normal, causing the vibration you are feeling at idle.

When you have 2 problems, you always take care of the one that might be causing the other first.. before spending time and money looking for something that you don't need to ;)

[Mouse]

If it's still a-rockin' when the CEL is diagnosed and fixed, it could be a split motor mount.

[funnyman82]

I took my truck to the dealer today and it was the O2 sensor, he said it was the heated one? Not sure what that means...anyone?

[Dr.Dan]

Different types are used for different application (heated or non-heated)

Your truck actually has 4 O2 sensors... one in each manifold, one before the converter, and one after it... that last one is usually the first to fail; due to it's location.

[Rustynut]

I think the car companies should change that CEL to an evil smiley face captioned " I'm gonna drain your account" light.

My last issue cost me 600 bucks for an intake manifold gasket replacement. :(

What ever the issue that causes the light to come on, it is best to take it in for repair as soon as possible to prevent damage to other systems.
A workmate had an issue where the car ran rich, extremely rich ... and rather than fix the problem he let it go until he needed to have the emissions test done, it was then that he found he had to replace the catalytic converter as well since the rich mixture "Killed the Converter" prematurely.

Pay me now. Pay me later. Your choice!

[funnyman82]

Are these sensors easy to change by myself? Are there any tricks or is it better to leave it to the dealers? This is the second O2 sensor in two years and they cost about $350 to replace....

[Dr.Dan]

Well that would depend on which one needs to be replaced... if it's one of the two near the converter, then yes, they are easily replaced...
But if it's one of the ones up at the manifold, then no, it's not easy and probably requires a special socket for O2 sensors ;)

So now the $100,000 question is, which one is it?? ;)

[funnyman82]

Well the service guy told me it was sensor 1, bank 2, front side. What does that mean?

[Dr.Dan]

That means you're not doing it yourself :(

[funnyman82]

Well i had them do it on Thursday cost about $380 after taxes. Which ones COULD i do?

[Dr.Dan]

Like I said before
"if it's one of the two near the converter, then yes, they are easily replaced..."