2003 VW Jetta Check Engine Light / Car Vibrations

AMSHIPLETT

MEMBER
2003 VOLKSWAGEN

2003 VW Jetta 2.0L 5-speed Manual transmission, 93K miles

I started it up this morning, the entire car started shaking, and the check engine light came on.

When I started driving it, the issue went away, and it drove fine, no odd sounds or anything like that.

I saw a similar post in the VW section that mentioned engine mounts, could that be it? But if that is the case, wouldn't I notice a gradual increase in shaking/vibrations, rather than a sudden one?

Thanks for your help!
Alex Shiplett

5 Replies

CHEVY22

MECHANIC
1,375 POSTS

If the light is on and the vibration is there at the same time, there is a computer controlled device that has failed and the codes would need to be checked to isolate and verify what has failed, may be as simple as plugs but it may be more, dont take any chances on causing more damage, have the codes checked and if you want to further diagnose or do the repair let us know, one of us would be glad to help

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Friday, February 23rd, 2007 AT 12:06 PM

DDCYR40

MEMBER
41 POSTS

Yes, I would definately have the codes checked, but I had something like that happen to my 2000 passat v6 last year, right when I started it up, and it shook for like 5 or so seconds and I shut it off, obviously thinking something bad was wrong. After the car was off, I just opened the gas cap, unscrewed it, and screwed it back on tight, started it up again, and it was fine. Sometimes its just simple dumb stuff, but either way, get the codes checked.

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Saturday, February 24th, 2007 AT 7:45 PM

RICE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

If your car is shaking and your check engine comes on but then goes away after you start driving it sounds like one of the ignition coils went. My girlfriend has the same car but with 89.000K on it. She just got the same thing fixed and its was the coil. There are 4 of them in your car but there are only $31.00 for one and $124.00 for all of them.

Your vw friend.

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Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 AT 1:01 PM

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,754 POSTS

All kinds of advice for you, but the advice of Chevy II is the only one I would follow to the limit. Getting the codes read ranges from Free at say an Autozone to $100, but that is a good starting point. Don't just start replacing items. Your code will probably refer to a misfire, but if will also point to a specific cylinder as well. It has been about 5 days since you posted and I would hope that you have taken some kind of action. If we can help, let us know.

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Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 AT 2:09 PM

CHEVY22