Jerk while driving

[DSMcrazy3]

Lately, every now and then when i'm on the road my car will sort of jerk as if i were driving at about 35mph w/ the clutch in and immediately released it, then pressed it back in, when this happens the check engine light flashes on for a split second, i have no idea what the problem is, any help is appreciated

 

[GSGoinFast]

Lately, every now and then when i'm on the road my car will sort of jerk as if i were driving at about 35mph w/ the clutch in and immediately released it, then pressed it back in, when this happens the check engine light flashes on for a split second, i have no idea what the problem is, any help is appreciated

any popping noises? this happened to me before i started having a bad misfire... well not the CEL part, but a couple days before it would slightly jerk when i was accelerating around 35 or so... then i started getting a massive misfire.

 

[BigRand]

Sounds like a timing issue to me

 

[housegsx]

I'm not nt, but mine did that just during steady cruising for a little while. Then the tranny went and the cel stayed on. I think it was because the bearing in the tranny went bad, which disengaged the speed sensor and caused it to throw a cel. It did this to me on and off for about 1-2 weeks before the trans completely went. Sorry if I'm scaring you, but that is what I experienced. Hope it's something simpler and cheaper.

 

[DSMcrazy3]

well it's been doing it for quite a while now, couple of months, just every now and then. I would think the timing is ok because i just got the car back last month from the shop and had the head machined, and valves replaced, and the timing belt replaced. Hopefully it isn't the transmission though..i was hoping to turbo soon

 

[esi-slowboy]

Have you installed any electronics AUX fog lights, Amps etc make sure you grounded everything "snug". I hooked up some Aux fog lights and grounded with alligator clips
alot of jerking after i hit bumps cause it was so loose.

 

[bullettdsm]

Not to sound too specific but it sounds like electrical (yeah that will narrow it down ). Any new electrics, sparkplug wires or sender wires loose etc... It could be fuel but that does not usually cause the quick jerk motion that you describe (and show a flash of check engine). It is usually a stumble or hesitation.
MB

 

[DSMcrazy3]

that could very well be it(electronics) i had a system and it got stolen a couple of months back, the wires are still in..i know it's stupid to leave them but i'll take them out tomorrow and make sure everything with that it tight, i'll keep u posted..thanks

 

[Defiant]

That's not a good thing to be doing. Keep both hands on the wheel, and get a more-cooperative girlfriend.

 

[GSGoinFast]

That's not a good thing to be doing. Keep both hands on the wheel, and get a more-cooperative girlfriend.

one of the funniest things ive seen from you yet!

 

[Venum]

That's not a good thing to be doing. Keep both hands on the wheel, and get a more-cooperative girlfriend.

Hahahaha...finally someone made me smile today. !

When I read it I thought he meant that he was being an ass on the road, flipping people off, swerving and cutting people off, but Defiant's is clearly a much more sophisticated view.

 

[indo69]

i would check the plug wires that same thing happened to me a couple of years ago and it endid up being the wires. check resistence

 

[jofan]

I had the same problem a couple days ago, cuz i was changing the valve cover gasket, so i took off my plug wires, and didnt even bother to look.. the coil on the wire broke off on cyl #4. and i put it back on.. and drove it to school the next morning.. and i thought it was the normal Jerk i always get when my CEL goes off (haha everyone shoudl know what im talking about).. so i got home and checked it out, and to my surprise i look and its broken off on the plug.. no telling when they were last changed. so i got some wires and plugs the next day in my stepdads ford festiva (4cyl hatch spraypainted blue YEAH 48mpg) you shoulda seen the looks from girls haha. But yea check your plug wires or plugs.

Goodluck