Vibrating when starting from dead stop.

[wesone]

1994 FZJ80 - Whole truck vibrates when I step on the gas a little to quickly from a dead stop. Scares the s*** out of me. Transmission? Anyone else experience this? Feels like it doesn't shift into gear quick enough or something. When I let off the gas then start again slowly it shifts fine.

 

[e9999]

Well, hello there! Welcome fo the Forum!
(You may want to say Hi and introduce yourself?)

 

[miked]

i had the same thing happening in an old volvo.
one word.. WORMHOLES!
no really, it could very likely be your U-joints are bad. there should be zirk fittings that you can put some grease into. might change the severity, might not.

 

[wesone]

Late introduction...

Sorry for not introducing myself. I'm Wes, live in Los Angeles, CA. Bought a Burgundy 1994 FZj80 in December 04' ...trying to work out the kinks.

Over all a nice condition truck. I'm not a fan of the brown cloth interior (what where they thinking in 94'?) I plan on brightening that up with some tan leather soon.

Only problems I've had so far are:

1. Electrical - dash warning lights were flickering while driving, voltage gage dropped below half sometimes. Had a new alternator and Optima battery installed... still didn't fix the problem. TLC in Van Nuys, CA said it was the alarm causing all of the problems so they took it out. Now I'm without keyless entry which sucks but it seems to have fixed the voltage problem. Guess I can never have an alarm?

2. Swamp like conditions on drivers side floor when it rained. I read about the sunroof theory. I usually keep it tilted up, now when I close it, in addition to tilting it back down, I open the sunroof and close it again. Seems to seal better that way and hasn't been wet down there since.

3. Check engine light has been on since I bought it. Its code 71... just cleaned the EGR, replaced a couple sensors and a burnt out fuel pump relay yesterday. No check engine light yet. I was told it may come back on and I'd have to reset the BDUII again for it to learn.

4. Last is the vibrating if I step on the gas to quickly from the starting line...
(read my first post)

I look forward to meeting all of you and becoming part of the forum. Thanks!

 

[miked]

if you cleaned the EGR and replaced some sensors, it sounds like you are at least able to turn a wrench. i would get under there and drop the drive shafts so you can cop a feel on the u-joints. it could be any number of things but... if it IS with the u-joints and you let it go too long, it could cause other problems.

btw, welcome. i'm not too far from you, sitting(rotting) down here in the El Centro area.

 

[e9999]

re: the wet floors. Could well be that how you close the roof will allow more or less water in. But it shouldn't end up on the floor. Something else is amiss. Did you clean the outlets and check for pluggage?

 

[wesone]

Hey Miked, I can indeed turn a wrench... but am no mechanic. I install home theater systems and complete home automation. If I was driving around a house on wheels I'd be all set. So its the U joints huh... what exactly is happening down there when all that vibrating is goin on? Do you do your own work? or do you have a favorite shop?

 

[wesone]

re: the wet floors. Could well be that how you close the roof will allow more or less water in. But it shouldn't end up on the floor. Something else is amiss. Did you clean the outlets and check for pluggage?

I read about the drains, but never attempted to locate and clean them. Since closing the sunroof twice seems to work, I've been putting it off.

 

[nyk438]

I read about the drains, but never attempted to locate and clean them. Since closing the sunroof twice seems to work, I've been putting it off.

I had the moon roof leak on my 91' nothing a little silicone and brake cleaner wouldn't fix

 

[Vitesse_6]

What kind of tires are you running? I have sone used Mud's and they seem to have a bit of a vibe...But I wouldnt call it out of control.
I wou;d check the U-joints too, Look at the slip joint as well have a look in the search area about too much lubing of the slip joint.
good luck

 

[wesone]

I'm riding out the standard Michelins for now. It definitely feels like something internal. Very hard to explain, I guess one would have to experience it. It won't do anything but vibrate the whole truck until I let off the gas and start again slowly... so I was thinking some kind of transmission problem.

 

[Vitesse_6]

Then I would definatly get under it and try to shake the drive lines, Could be the u-joints, or check the bolts on the ends of the drive line(loose), Also could be the R&P bolt(loose)...But I doubt it. Is there any large fluid leaks? I wouldnt think it would be the tranny, I think it would just slip more so than vibrate, Unsure about the t-case.
Good luck, Let us know.