How to Diagnose and Fix Car Shakes When Changing Gears

The cause of the car shaking when changing gears could be due to a variety of problems, such as worn or loose engine mounts, transmission issues, or even an unbalanced driveshaft.

Car Shakes When Changing Gears

If you own a car, then you are likely accustomed to the smooth transition between gear shifts. But, if your car is suddenly shaking when you shift gears, it is most likely due to an underlying problem – and it is important to have this problem addressed as soon as possible for your safety. Possible causes of why your car may be shaking when changing gears include worn out or damaged parts, a fault in the exhaust system, misaligned wheels, low or dirty fluids, or clutch issues.

In order to diagnose and repair the issue properly and safely, you should bring your car to a professional mechanic or service center. The technician can examine and test the parts of your vehicle in order to locate the source of the problem and make any necessary repairs. So if you find your car has begun to shake when you change gears, dont hesitate – get it fixed as soon as possible.

Mechanical Issues

The most common mechanical issue with a car shaking when changing gears is usually related to its clutch system. When the clutch system is not functioning properly, it can cause the car to shake or vibrate when changing gears. This could be caused by a worn out clutch plate, misaligned or damaged flywheel, or a problem with the pressure plate. Additionally, a malfunctioning gearbox can also cause this issue. If the gearbox isn’t shifting correctly, it can cause the car to shake when changing gears.

Electrical Issues

Another potential cause of your car shaking when changing gears is electrical issues. If your vehicle has sparking cables or a failing battery, it can lead to your vehicle shaking during gear shifts due to insufficient power going through its electrical system. Additionally, if you have an older vehicle with an outdated electrical system, this could be causing your car to shake when shifting gears as well.

Tire Problems

If you’re experiencing shaking from your vehicle when changing gears, it could also be related to tire problems such as out of balance tires or excessively worn tires. Out of balance tires can cause vibrations at higher speeds and make the car shake when shifting between gears. Similarly, excessively worn tires can also lead to vibration and shaking due to an uneven tread wear on the tire surface which can make contact with the road unevenly and create instability in handling.

Fluids Leakage

Fluid leakage is another potential cause of why your car might be shaking during gear shifts. If there are any leaks in your engine’s oil level or transmission fluid levels they could lead to your vehicle shaking while switching between gears due to insufficient lubrication in certain parts of the engine or transmission that need it for proper operation.

Fuel Problems

Lastly, fuel problems such as bad fuel injectors or low compression can also be causing your car to shake when changing gears. Bad fuel injectors may not be providing enough fuel for proper combustion which can lead to stuttering and vibrations when shifting between gears due to insufficient power being generated from combustion in the engine cylinders. Similarly, low compression can also cause stuttering and vibrations from insufficient air being drawn into the engine cylinders for proper combustion leading upshifts and downshifts resulting in shaking during gear changes.

Engine Outputs

If your car shakes when changing gears, it could be a result of engine output issues. Poor acceleration is a common symptom of the problem, and it can usually be attributed to fuel starvation. This means that there is not enough fuel getting to the engine, which can happen for various reasons such as a clogged or faulty fuel filter or an insufficient amount of fuel being injected into the cylinders. Another issue that could cause your car to shake while shifting gears is if any of the powertrain components have worn out or broken mounts and bushings.

Error Codes

Diagnostics codes from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) or Electronic Control Module (ECM) are also worth examining when looking into why your car shakes while changing gears. These codes will indicate any issues with engine performance and can help you pinpoint the cause of the problem. Additionally, it may be worthwhile to check for any OBDII DTC errors that could be causing your car to shake when shifting gears.

Carburetor Check

If you’re using a carburetor in your vehicle, it is important to make sure everything is functioning properly. A defective diaphragm issue can cause your engine to run rich or lean, leading to poor acceleration and making your car shake when changing gears. The air cleaner may also be fouled up due to dirt and debris build-up, so its important to check this as well and make sure its clean and in good working order.

In conclusion, if your car shakes when changing gears there could be various causes ranging from engine output issues such as poor acceleration or fuel starvation, faulty powertrain components or broken mounts and bushings, diagnostic error codes from the PCM/ECM or OBDII DTC errors, and/or carburetor issues such as a defective diaphragm or an air cleaner foul up . It may take some time to pinpoint exactly what is causing the issue but by following these steps you should be able to diagnose and repair it quickly and get back on the road again soon!

FAQ & Answers

Q: What causes a car to shake when changing gears?
A: There can be many possible causes of a car shaking when changing gears, including mechanical issues with the clutch system or gearbox, electrical issues with sparking cables or a battery failure, tire problems such as out of balance tyres or excessively worn tyres, fluids leakage like an oil level check or transmission fluid levels, fuel problems such as bad fuel injectors or low compression, engine outputs like poor acceleration or fuel starvation, faulty parts such as broken mounts and bushings or powertrain components, error codes like diagnostics codes from PCM/ECM or OBDII DTC errors, and carburetor checks like defective diaphragm issue or air cleaner foul ups.

Q: How can I check if my car is having mechanical issues?
A: If your car is having mechanical issues, it is important to have it inspected by a qualified mechanic. They will be able to inspect the clutch system and gearbox for any damage or wear and tear that may be causing the shaking sensation. They may also recommend replacement parts if needed.

Q: What could be causing my car to shake due to electrical issues?
A: Electrical issues that may cause your car to shake when changing gears include sparking cables or a battery failure. It is important to have these checked out by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible in order to avoid further damage.

Q: How can I check if my tires are causing the shaking?
A: If you suspect that your tires are causing the shaking sensation when changing gears, you should have them inspected by a professional mechanic. They will be able to check for out of balance tyres and excessively worn tyres that may be causing the problem.

Q: How can I diagnose any fuel problems with my vehicle?
A: In order to diagnose any fuel problems with your vehicle you will need to have it inspected by a qualified mechanic who can check for bad fuel injectors and low compression. They may also recommend replacement parts if needed in order to resolve the issue.

In conclusion, car shakes when changing gears can be caused by a variety of factors, such as worn out engine mounts, transmission problems, or even a faulty wheel bearing. Depending on the cause of the problem, it is important to have a professional inspect and repair your car as soon as possible to avoid further damage.