Problem with Vibration

Tiny
CHARMELCHER
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 KIA OPTIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
My Kia has always had a slight vibration when driving speeds of 45 to 70 miles per hour. Just yesterday it went to a loud vibration felt in the seats, dash and steering wheel of the car. It has a smooth idle so I do not think it is engine related. No leaking fluids ect. Under car. Front end alignment rescently done with 2 new front tires.
Sunday, August 1st, 2010 AT 7:21 PM

42 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there, body vibration is usually a result of a rear end problem, worn suspension, tyres and rims, I would have this inspected first.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Sunday, August 1st, 2010 AT 7:27 PM
Tiny
COPTERMECH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 KIA OPTIMA
  • 130,000 MILES
I have a 2003 Kia Optima with a 2.4L engine. I picked up a high frequency engine vibration that can be felt in the hood and right fender at idle and in the steering wheel at all driving speeds. I replaced both belts (no defects noted) and checked all the accessory pulleys & bearings for roughness or play. Everything normal except water pump makes a noise - if you're a deer hunter, it sounds like a doe bleating! No problems with engine temp though. What next?
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Water pump noise means the bearing is going out. Replace it soon.

Two person job: With the hood up and one person standing to the side of the vehicle, have the other person put the car in gear while holding the brake firmly and with the parking brake engaged. Person in the driver's seat gives the engine a little throttle. Observe the engine for jumping or movement.

Check the engine for vacuum leaks and verify the proper ignition timing. A good quality fuel injector cleaner might also be a good idea.
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
COPTERMECH
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks, I was afraid you'd say that. The water pump looks like a pain to change! I'll check the other items also though I haven't noticed any performance or mileage changes.
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
See image.
2.4L 4-CYLINDER ENGINE -2003 Kia Optima SE
Page 1 of 2
ENGINE COOLANT PUMP
REMOVAL

Drain the coolant and disconnect the radiator outlet hose and engine coolant by-pass hose from the engine coolant pump.
Remove the drive belt and engine coolant pump pulley. Remove the timing belt covers and the timing belt tensioner.
Remove the engine coolant pump mounting bolts and then remove the alternator brace. Remove the engine coolant pump assembly from the cylinder block.

Install the timing belt tensioner and timing belt. Adjust the timing belt tension, and then install the timing belt covers.
Install the engine coolant pump pulley and drive belt, and then adjust the belt tension. Refill the coolant.
7. Run the engine and check for leaks.
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SMACKY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 KIA OPTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 92,000 MILES
I'm feeling a vibration/ rocky sensation from the engine througout the car. It idles perfectly and is not missing. Just a steady rough feeling from the engine
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
With that many miles, I suspect your engine mounts are worn/broken. Check them, you should have 3 engine and 1 transmission mounts.
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
1ANDONLYBRYANT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 KIA OPTIMA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
Hello, my engine only vibrates when in "drive" when i'm in park, reverse, or neutral there is no vibration. I was wondering what could be the cause of this sort of thing. Thank you for your answers.
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there, Have you checked the engine mounts, always start looking at the simple things first.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
1ANDONLYBRYANT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I recently had a rear motor mount replacement but not the front. How do I check to see if that's the problem? Is buying a new one the only way?
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOBAREZO
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
  • 2002 KIA OPTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 133,000 MILES
Alright so I bought a 2002 Kia Optima 2.4L for cheap cause it was broke, the timing belt broke and all valves got bent, so I installed reman. Head and timing belts, everything is timed perfect including balance shaft, got a tune up, oil change, new cmp sensor but still when all back together, starts for ab 3 seconds, vibrates excessively (like a electric toothbrush on steroids) then dies every time even with map sensor, maf sensor or cmp sensor unplugged (1 at a time) im pretty sure its throwin a code, will have it scanned tomoro. Any ideas of what I need to check
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOBAREZO
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
Also when I got the car, the three wires that plug into the cmp (camshaft position) sensor are wired directly, idk what order they need to be in and the engine balancer shaft belt was missing, so either someone already looked took it out of someone left it out a while back, if the shaft was somehow messed up and causing vibration, what would leaving the balance shaft belt off do?
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
You will have to clear all codes and do a re start and report what fresh codes are set.
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
The attached diagram shows the wiring circuit. Hope it is helpful.
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOBAREZO
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
Thank you for the diagram!
Is the crankshaft position sensor more important than the camshaft position sensor?
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Both are equally important as each has its own own duties.
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOBAREZO
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
Ok, scanned it, codes p0340 (CMP sensor bank 1) and p0118 (coolant temp high output) were on there twice, which makes since to why both radiator fans come on as soon as its started and the wiring is wrong on the CMP sensor, well I cleared them and started the car and they came back, but just the cmp sensor not working wouldnt make the motor vibrate so bad that the engine basicly knows to shut off, when it starts for the 3 seconds I can gas it to get the rpms up to ab 4k before it shuts off again
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOBAREZO
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
Does anyone know what order the wires to the CMP sensor need to be in from top to bottom, theres a black ground wire, a black signal wire with a few dashes on it, and a pinkish hot wire
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOBAREZO
  • MEMBER
  • 28 POSTS
Ive done some research and now im pretty sure its the front balance shaft that is drivin off the oil pump pulley, it can be 180 degrees off and still register as being in time
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
The faulty CMP would cause difficult starting and erratic idling and stalling.

The above wiring diagram shows the order of the CMP wires.
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Friday, January 10th, 2020 AT 11:43 AM (Merged)

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