2017 dodge journey engine shaking

Why Is My Check Engine Light Flashing And My Car Is Shaking?

• Updated: February 21, 2023

The Check Engine Light is made to get your attention even when it comes on the dashboard solid. How much more alarming is it when the light is flashing? Even worse, what does it mean if the Check Engine Light is flashing and the car is shaking?

We answer those questions in this guide. Not only will you know the most common causes of this serious condition, but we also help you figure out how to fix it. Plus, we’ve included some FAQs at the end of the article. 

Reasons Your Check Engine Light Is Flashing And Car Is Shaking

When the Check Engine Light starts flashing, you know something serious is occurring. It’s even more concerning when the car is shaking. Most likely, there’s a misfire occurring, either from a bad ignition coil, a bad spark plug, a faulty fuel injector, a bad engine sensor, or low compression.

Let’s take a closer look at these causes.

1. Engine Is Misfiring On One Cylinder

With an engine misfire , the combustion reaction doesn’t complete normally. In this situation, one cylinder will go unfired. A misfire can occur at engine startup while the vehicle is idling or in the middle of acceleration. It’s going to create a shaking feeling, and the Check Engine Light is sure to come on .

With that said, a misfire isn’t the exact problem that needs to be fixed. There’s something causing the misfire, which is what we will talk about in the next examples. Any one of the remaining issues can lead to a misfiring engine. 

2. Bad Ignition Coil

Ignition coils or coil packs commonly cause misfires and shaking. The ignition coils act as small transformers designed to generate high voltage current to power the spark plugs. 

When the ignition coils go bad, the engine doesn’t just misfire, but it also starts to idle rough and you’ll notice a decrease in power. Additionally, because the engine is working so hard, fuel economy suffers and you may have trouble starting the engine. 

RELATED: 6 Symptoms Of A Bad Ignition Coil

3. Bad Spark Plugs

Spark plugs are also a common culprit, especially if they haven’t been changed in a long time. When a spark plug stops operating, the cylinder it’s connected to can misfire. You get a rough and shaky motor plus a Check Engine Light. 

Over time, spark plugs naturally become contaminated. They get dirty and worn, leading to trouble creating the necessary spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture. For this reason, it’s best to replace the spark plugs at the recommended service intervals to avoid trouble. 

RELATED: 6 Symptoms Of A Bad Spark Plug

4. Faulty Fuel Injector

Fuel is needed in the combustion chamber to ensure smooth operation. If there’s not enough fuel, the engine struggles to run and it could misfire. Bad fuel injectors create this type of problem.

Direct injection systems ensure that fuel is delivered into each cylinder. There has to be an accurate amount of fuel being injected, which is controlled by the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The fuel injectors must also work in a consistent spray pattern for efficient combustion. 

Fuel injectors fail when they start leaking or they become blocked. The tip can get dirty, leading to a blockage. Additionally, hydrocarbon starts to build up on the tips because of fuel that’s left behind. If that’s not the problem, then it could also be a seal that’s worn out, allowing fuel to leak into the system.

5. A Bad Engine Sensor

Today’s car engines are equipped with a variety of sensors that keep everything running smoothly. These sensors are responsible for monitoring engine operations and they make adjustments. Some sensors measure airflow, while others keep track of fuel pressure and engine timing. 

If any one of the sensors fails, the operation of the engine suffers. Depending on how severe it is, the engine could misfire and the Check Engine Light may start to flash . 

RELATED: 15 Different Types of Sensors in a Car

6. Low Compression

Low engine compression means that the cylinders can’t compress the right amount of air. Without the right air density to mix with fuel, the performance and efficiency of the engine suffer.

You will notice misfires plus decreased fuel economy. It could be difficult to start the engine too. Different problems cause low compression , such as holes in a piston, a head gasket failure or leaky valves. Low compression can be one of the most difficult problems to diagnose and repair. 

How To Fix Your Check Engine Light Flashing And Car Shaking

To fix your flashing Check Engine Light like a professional, you must start to think as we do. Our team deals with these problems day in and day out, so we are well-versed in the fixes. Start by reading your service manual to get some advice tailored to your car.

After that, walk through the steps.

1. Read Trouble Codes

The computer sets a code that tells you what is wrong when the Check Engine Light comes on. You can plug in a compatible code scanner to read these codes. It could be something generic, such as P0300 , which doesn’t offer a lot of help unless there are other codes to put with it. 

We have a complete trouble code library that helps you to discern what’s happening. If you can figure out the problem from the codes alone, you will save a lot of time on repairs. 

2. Check Ignition Coils And Spark Plugs

The trouble codes may have sent you to a particular cylinder. If so, this is good news. At least you know where the misfire is occurring. Your next step is to check the spark plug and ignition coil at this cylinder.

Depending on your vehicle, you may need to remove other parts. Some cars require the intake manifold or engine cover to be removed before accessing these components. It’s also important to know the engine cylinder order so you know which one you are looking at.

You can swap out the spark plug or ignition coil to see if that resolves the problem. Just be careful removing these parts, especially since the spark plug can be difficult to get out. You don’t want the spark plug to break off inside the cylinder head. 

Even if the spark plugs don’t look worn, the issue could be the gap. Measure the spark plug gap and adjust it if necessary. Check the gap specs in your service manual to get the right measurement for your car. 

3. Check Fuel Injectors

There are multiple ways to check fuel injectors. Let’s cover a few of the most popular options.

• Start the engine
• Let it idle for a few minutes
• While the engine runs, place the metal screwdriver end against the fuel injector
• Place your ear to the screwdriver’s other end, but be careful not to get anything near the moving engine
• If you hear clicking, the injector is operating normally
• If there’s silence, the injector should be replaced or cleaned
• Repeat the test for all injectors

Voltage Test

• Check the service manual for the correct electrical resistance or ohm spec for your injectors
• Perform this test when the injectors are cold
• Turn on the ignition, but don’t start the engine
• Connect your test light or volt meter to the negative battery terminal
• Unplug the electrical connector from the injector
• Attach the injector wiring connection to your volt meter to see if you get the right specs
• Repeat for each injector
• Locate the injectors
• Carefully smell around the injector for signs of gasoline
• Inspect the injector for any signs of leaking or drips
• Perform this test for all of the injectors

Some people prefer to run multiple tests just to be sure the results are accurate. 

4. Contact A Professional

If you’ve been through all of the steps and can’t seem to figure out what’s going on, it’s time to visit a repair shop. Talk to your local mechanic for help figuring out the problem.

Whether you fix it yourself or you have a professional look at it, you shouldn’t drive the vehicle with the Check Engine Light flashing. Fix the problem before driving anymore to avoid any permanent damage to the engine. 

Can I drive my car with the engine light flashing?

No, when the Check Engine Light flashes, you should pull over in a safe location and fix the problem. Driving the car any further could lead to more damage and an additional repair cost. If the Check Engine Light is on solid, you may be able to drive the car home first. 

How expensive is it to fix an engine misfire?

It’s difficult to determine the average engine misfire repair cost because the cause can be so many different things. For example, changing spark plugs may only cost you $50, while dealing with a sensor could easily be $1,000 or more. To get an accurate estimate, speak to a local repair shop. 

Can an engine misfire fix itself?

No, there’s a mechanical failure causing the misfire. When an engine misfires, it means that one of the cylinders is failing. This problem can be caused by a bad spark plug, low compression, a bag ignition coil, faulty fuel injectors or a bad sensor. 

How long can I drive with the engine light blinking?

You shouldn’t drive at all with the Check Engine Light blinking. This warning light tells you something is seriously wrong, and you should never ignore it. Instead, find a safe location to pull over and turn off the car engine. 

We know how frustrating car problems can be, especially when they have to do with the Check Engine Light flashing. This is a serious concern that even we don’t take lightly.

To ensure you have a well-running car, it’s important to have the problems repaired immediately. Reference our guide in your time of trouble and get your car back on the road without dash lights blinking at you. 

Categories: Troubleshooting , Warning Lights

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Dodge Journey Acceleration Problem [Simple Fix]

Manufacturers will set the throttle response low due to regulations. This means that when you step on the gas pedal, there is a slight delay before the car actually starts to move. This is known as the "dead pedal" or "sponge pedal"!

The main concern here is when merging into traffic onto a highway or making a quick maneuver. There are some things you can do to help fix this issue.

One easy fix is to adjust the throttle response by installing a device called a throttle response controller. A throttle response controller amplifies the electrical signal to the ECU so that you get a much faster response from the engine. You can control the sensitivity from a smartphone or a remote, which helps get the perfect setting.

Our engineering team is recommending ShiftPower Throttle Response Controller at this time.

To know more about ShiftPower click >

Common Acceleration Problems in Dodge:

• Manufacture settings
• Throttle body issues
• Mass airflow sensor issues
• Catalytic converter issues
• Exhaust leaks
• Intake leaks
• Ignition system problems
• Fuel delivery issues
• Bad motor mount
• Vacuum leak
• Stiff steering wheel

Check engine light

When your check engine light or warning light comes on, it's telling you there is a problem with your vehicle.

Common reasons:

- ECU issues

- Throttle body issues

- Mass airflow sensor issues

- Catalytic converter issues

- Incorrectly gapped spark plug

- Cruise control issue

- Throttle Control Light issue

Dodge journey Acceleration Solved

If you don't have any mechanical or computer issues then we recommend you try a throttle response controller or a professional tune. For the cost, we have found that a throttle response controller is the least expensive that provides immediate results.

A throttle response controller is a device that modifies the signal between the pedal and the engine's computer. It "fools" the computer into thinking the pedal is being pressed further than it actually is which in turn tells the engine to provide more power. The results are an acceleration that feels smoother and more linear.

There are a few different types of throttle response controllers on the market, but we recommend the ShiftPower Throttle Response Controller. ShiftPower offers a 3-year warranty.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at 1-800-548-1195 or visit our website issautomotive.com

Throttle Position Sensor

A throttle position sensor (TPS) is a sensor used to monitor the position of the throttle in an internal combustion engine. The sensor is usually located on the throttle body.

The TPS is used to monitor the position of the throttle butterfly valve. The sensor produces a voltage that is proportional to the position of the throttle valve. The TPS is an important sensor because it tells the engine control unit (ECU) how far open the throttle is.

The TPS is a potentiometer that produces a varying voltage depending on the position of the throttle. The TPS is connected to the throttle shaft, and the position of the throttle shaft is proportional to the position of the throttle plate. When the throttle is closed, the TPS produces a voltage of 0.5 volts. As the throttle is opened, the TPS produces a higher voltage. When the throttle is fully open, the TPS produces a voltage of 4.5 volts.

The ECU uses the TPS signal to determine how much fuel to inject into the engine. The TPS signal is also used to calculate the engine load. The engine load is a measure of how much work the engine is doing. The engine load is used to calculate the ignition timing.

If the TPS is not working properly, it can cause a number of problems. If the TPS produces a voltage that is too low, it will cause the engine to run lean. This can lead to engine damage. If the TPS produces a voltage that is too high, it will cause the engine to run rich. This can lead to increased fuel consumption and emissions.

Frequently Asked Questions Dodge Journey Acceleration

Why is my dodge journey sluggish.

There are a few things that can cause your Dodge Journey to feel sluggish. It might be low on transmission fluid, have a dirty air filter, or need a new oxygen sensor.

The first thing you should check is the transmission fluid level. If it's low, topping it off might improve your car's performance.

A dirty air filter can also make your car feel sluggish. If your air filter is dirty, replace it with a new one.

Finally, a faulty oxygen sensor can cause your car to run poorly. If your oxygen sensor is faulty, replace it with a new one.

Why is my Dodge Journey lagging?

There are a few reasons why your Dodge Journey might be lagging. It could be an issue with the spark plugs, the fuel injectors, the air filter, or the oxygen sensor. If you're experiencing acceleration problems, it's best to take your car to a mechanic so they can scan for trouble codes and diagnose the issue. Once they know what's wrong, they can fix it and get your car running properly again.

What is throttle lag?

A throttle lag is when there's a delay between the time you press the accelerator pedal and when the car actually starts to move. This can be extremely frustrating, especially when you're trying to merge onto a highway or make a quick pass. There are a few things that can cause throttle lag, and luckily, there are also a few ways to fix it.

• Bad Fuel Filter - A clogged fuel filter can cause all sorts of engine performance issues, including throttle lag. The fix is to simply replace the fuel filter according to your car's maintenance schedule.
• Dirty Mass Air Flow Sensor - The mass air flow sensor is responsible for measuring the amount of air entering the engine. If it's dirty, it can cause a delay in the amount of air reaching the engine, which will cause throttle lag.
• Ignition Coil or Coil Packs - The ignition coil or coil pack is responsible for providing the spark that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the engine. If it's failing, it can cause a delay in the spark, which will cause throttle lag.
• Cracked Air Intake Hose - An air intake hose that's cracked or broken can cause a loss of air pressure, which will cause throttle lag.
• Bad Spark Plugs - Worn-out spark plugs can cause a delay in the spark, which will cause throttle lag. Same issue with spark plug wires that are worn out or have too much resistance.

If you're experiencing throttle lag, there are a few things you can do to fix it. Check the fuel filter and mass air flow sensor, and make sure they're clean or replaced if necessary. You should also check the ignition coil or coil pack, and replace it if necessary. The same thing with spark plugs, replace them with new ones. Finally, check the air intake hose for any cracks or breaks, and replace it if necessary. By following these steps, you should be able to fix throttle lag and get your car running smoothly again.

How can I make my Dodge Journey faster?

There are a few things you can do to make your Dodge Journey faster. You can improve the aerodynamics of your car by adding a rear spoiler or a front air dam. You can also improve the performance of your car by upgrading the engine to a higher-performance model. You can also add a cold air intake or a performance exhaust system to improve the airflow to the engine.

Finally, the easiest and most inexpensive way to make your Dodge Journey faster is to install a throttle response controller. This will improve the throttle response of your car and make it feel more responsive to your inputs

Fuel Injectors

One of the most common causes of an  acceleration problem in a Dodge Journey is a clogged or dirty fuel injector. Fuel injectors spray fuel into the engine, and over time they can become clogged with deposits. This can cause the injector to spray less fuel, or not spray any fuel at all, which will cause the engine to run lean and eventually stall. If you think your Journey may have a clogged injector, have it checked by a mechanic.

Trouble Codes

A trouble code is a code thrown out by an automotive diagnostic tool when it detects an issue within the vehicle. These codes are used by automobile manufacturers to diagnose and repair issues within the vehicle. Dodge journey owners may come across a wide variety of trouble codes, some of which may indicate serious problems.

One sample of trouble code that may be thrown by the Dodge Journey is the P0456 trouble code. This code indicates that there is a small leak in the evaporative emission control system.

Other codes that may be thrown by the Dodge Journey include P0128, which indicates that the coolant thermostat is not functioning properly, and P0300, which indicates that the engine is misfiring.

If either of these codes is thrown, it is important to have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible. Continuing to drive a vehicle with either of these codes may cause further damage to the engine or other systems.

Related Dodge cars articles that you may like:

• Dodge Charger Acceleration Problem

Dodge RAM Hesitation On Acceleration

Dodge RAM 1500 Acceleration Problems

• Dodge Charger Acceleration Delay
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• Dodge Journey Talk

2017 Dodge Journey 2.4L 4cyl Rattle/Knock

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Seeing if anyone has had a similar issue. My 17 journey has 44,000 miles and I am getting a rattle/knock which seems to be coming from somewhere on the bottom of the block. I’ve experienced valve tick and engine knock and this is different. The strangest part is that the noise does not exist idling in park. If you are in park and turn on a/c the noice begins, kick the a/c off and noise is gone. If you put the car in gear the noise is there with or without the a/c on. Today I replaced both idler pulleys and tensioner suspecting that was the issue, no change. I’m at a loss, I really don’t feel like it sounds internal. Let me know what you think?  

Does it sound like marbles being shaken in a coffee can? If so it may be a cracked flex plate though I haven't heard this happening with a Journey. I did have this happen on my '00 T&C Ltd 3.8L. This not something that can wait.  

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• All Wheel Drive (AWD)

Growl / Loud Gear Noise During Moderate Acceleration

By tsteves5 April 11, 2021 in All Wheel Drive (AWD)

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I recently acquired a 2011 Journey 3.6 AWD 6-speed with 140,000 miles.  I've been sorting out some different issues on the vehicle, but one particular sound has me stumped.  It's a loud growl / gear type noise that only occurs during moderate and hard accelerations from stop and then the sound fades out at about 30 MPH.  The sound does not occur during light acceleration.  It doesn't seem to matter if you're going straight or turning.  I've been looking around the forum and internet and seen acceleration noises tied to wheel bearings, CV joints, power steering pumps, PTUs, and even tires but none of them seem to be a good match to what I'm hearing.  The tires are all the same size, but the rears are more worn that the front tires.  I've never owned an AWD vehicle before.  Is this noise typical for AWD vehicles, or should I be concerned?

I recorded a video of the sound during moderate and light accelerations.

I welcome any thoughts and suggestions.

Thank you for your time!

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i would say wheel bearings , they can go bad and sound different at different times depending on the load from the vech

3 hours ago, 2late4u said: i would say wheel bearings , they can go bad and sound different at different times depending on the load from the vech

Thanks for the quick reply.  It sure would be great if it were a wheel bearing.  Looking at the service manual, they don't look terribly difficult to replace either.

John/Horace

A Bad Wheel bearing often follows the speed of the vehicle as a droning noise. Usually the faster the speed the louder it gets, doesn’t fade away in my experience.

Try checking the front ptu and rear transfer case oil levels. No dip stick on front ptu so you have to drain and fill to get correct level.  Very little oil involved, 75w90 used for both. Search forum for oil change instructions.

39 minutes ago, John/Horace said: A Bad Wheel bearing often follows the speed of the vehicle as a droning noise. Usually the faster the speed the louder it gets, doesn’t fade away in my experience. Try checking the front ptu and rear transfer case oil levels. No dip stick on front ptu so you have to drain and fill to get correct level.  Very little oil involved, 75w90 used for both. Search forum for oil change instructions.

Thanks for the suggestion.  In my original post, I neglected to mention that I've already changed the PTU and rear transfer case oil.  The noise did not change.  I also didn't see any metal shavings on either of the magnets, just some metal sludge that's consistent with what I've seen accumulated on healthy transmission magnets in the past.

Transaxle on transmission output can be noisy. Has transmission oil been changed as well.  How was magnet in the pan.

You have reved engine in park to make sure it’s not coming off one of the engine components.?

42 minutes ago, John/Horace said: Transaxle on transmission output can be noisy. Has transmission oil been changed as well.  How was magnet in the pan.   You have reved engine in park to make sure it’s not coming off one of the engine components.?

The transmission fluid was pretty dark.  I've changed it once already by sucking it out through the fill hole and refilling (got about 4.5 of the 9 quarts).  I plan to drop the pan and replace the filter and fluid again within the next week.  I haven't seen the transmission magnet yet.

I have reved the engine in park.  The sound only occurs when the vehicle is moving.

Magnet is either built into the replaceable filter in the pan, or it is a separate ferrite magnet stuck to bottom of pan.

20 hours ago, John/Horace said: A Bad Wheel bearing often follows the speed of the vehicle as a droning noise. Usually the faster the speed the louder it gets, doesn’t fade away in my experience. Try checking the front ptu and rear transfer case oil levels. No dip stick on front ptu so you have to drain and fill to get correct level.  Very little oil involved, 75w90 used for both. Search forum for oil change instructions.

i just had an experience with my daughter patriot, she had already had both front and left rear wheel bearings replaced and developed a loud noise and it wasnt a droning noise or grinding but sounded more like a thumping noise that got louder with speed until you got to around 50 mph and then would quite down a bit, her regular mech said her right side wheel bearing was good as he had checked it out  and that it was her rear end going out,anyways long story short i put it in the dealership expecting a 2500 repair bill and they called and said it was her right side wheel bearing was bad even tho  while spinning it while on a lift it made no noise.... so that 2500 bill ended up being just around 400 which is high for a wheel bearing it was a lot different than what i was expecting

Without weight on a bearing it’s often hard to tell if it’s worn at the early stages.

Which is why some better shops use a vibration analysis tool to isolate which bearing is bad without guessing.

Later stages often play can be found in hub with tire off the ground, manually.

Audio clip not great way to try and diagnose a wheel bearing IMO.

The google says.....   The classic   sounds   of a   bad wheel bearing   are cyclic chirping, squealing and/or growling noise. You can also tell that the   sound   is related to   wheel bearings   if it changes in proportion to vehicle speed. The   sound   can get worse with every turn, or it can disappear momentarily. May 14, 2019

C/V shafts can have a varying sound that goes away at certain speeds sometimes. There are 3 shafts on Journey.

After market not that expensive, even new after market which aren’t quite a good IMO as OEM.

25 minutes ago, John/Horace said: C/V shafts can have a varying sound that goes away at certain speeds sometimes. There are 3 shafts on Journey. After market not that expensive, even new after market which aren’t quite a good IMO as OEM.  

When you say there are three shafts, are you referring to the left C/V, right C/V, and intermediate shafts for the front of the vehicle?

Yes. I'm ignoring AWD shaft for now. Could paint mark connections on it, remove the and drive without it to eliminate that. Unlike c\v shafts. There's a flex coupling on one end, could inspect it. 

I finally had a chance over the weekend to drop the transmission pan.  It doesn't have a magnet, but the bottom of the pan was very clean.  I also took apart the oil filter and didn't see any visible metal particles in the filter material.  There was no change in the moderate/hard acceleration noise after changing the filter and fluid.

I also inspected the intermediate shaft bearing and did not detect any play.  The rear rubber driveshaft coupler is in good shape too.  I didn't see any issues with CV boots anywhere.

I did find a broken front motor mount and replaced it.  I was really hoping that was the cause, but it did not fix the issue either.

Since the issue only occurs while the car is moving and under torque I can't replicate it in my garage.  I might have to invest in something like this, so I can listen to different parts of the car while driving.  Has anyone used something like this before for diagnosing issues while driving? https://www.steelmantools.com/cassisear-combo-kit

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-Channel-Car-Electronic-Stethoscope-Kit-Engine-Noise-Diagnostic-Finder-Tool/174392990876

Great transmission news. The really expensive item you can’t fix your self seems to be ok. Surprised there is no magnet in pan, most pans I have dropped have one. Some people even add a second magnet to help trap filings. Noise should be something on the cheaper end of things. 

The vibration analysis equip you listed could be used for wheel bearings via the spindle housing or main crank shaft bearings via block measurements.. Spinning shafts like c/v or drive shafts would be measured with an ultrasonic very expensive sensing device. Bearings are bench marked when new then periodically measured for progressive wear over time. Really meant for high end air compressors and other critical components in $ factory equipment. Kinda hard to justify for $125 c/v shafts etc.

Source of noise is going to be a little tricky to isolate.

https://www.cbmconnect.com/ultrasonic-predictive-maintenance-monitoring-bearing-wear/

https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwizjIigwInwAhWxbG8EHcWkALcYABAFGgJqZg&ohost=www.google.ca&cid=CAASEuRo66NCc52z-b9b15AZXGqKEQ&sig=AOD64_3u5_5AFAIH6wdxBJtDogi0Hg4e6g&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjQzYGgwInwAhUHWs0KHRhHBKwQ5bgDegQIARBA&adurl=

On front wheel drive cars I have isolated c/v or bearing noises by jacking one wheel in the air and running car at medium speed.

A little un-nerving but the car will stay put as spider gears slip. The Side generating noise should become obvious. AWD would how ever require removing driveshaft to do this.

Sometimes the c/v boots are not leaking grease yet, but the bearings are still at early wear stages and generating noise. You may have to drive longer for the sound to become more pronounced so you can isolate it. It doesn’t seem like a catastrophic failure item.

• 2 weeks later...

I finally solved this noise issue.  Long story short, it ended up having a total of two broken motor mounts instead of just the one that I originally found.  The passenger-side mount was broken right under the bracket and you couldn't really see that it was broken unless someone held down the brake with the car in drive and revved up the engine.

The engine was rocking back too far in the engine compartment and something must have been rubbing on/near the firewall area causing the noise issue during moderate/hard acceleration.  Just revving the engine in drive in my garage would cause the top of the throttle body to come very close to the top of the cowl.

Thank you to everyone who responded with suggestions.  I can see there is a wealth of knowledge in this forum.

• 2late4u and John/Horace

thanks for reporting back what you found to be the reason of your problem so many dont bother,great info for others with this problem

• 1 year later...

I really appreciate those who have posted on this thread. It was a real lifesaver for me. Like tsteves5, I also had a grinding sound when turning corners and when going up hill in my Dodge Journey.

The problem was a broken motor mount on the passenger side. As soon as I replaced it, the noise went away (and the car's engine noise was also noticeably quieter).

I'm glad that it helped.

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Home » Troubleshooting » Dodge Journey steering wheel vibration causes and diagnosis

Dodge Journey steering wheel vibration causes and diagnosis

Driving your Dodge Journey with a shaking steering wheel is not only irritating, it can also be dangerous. Such vibrations are symptoms of an underlying problem with your Journey, which must be resolved at the earliest for road safety and driving comfort.

The most common causes for a shaking steering wheel in Dodge Journey are unbalanced wheels, misaligned wheels, tire damage, bent rim, bad wheel bearing, worn engine mounts and loose lug nuts. Less common causes are bad axle, worn suspension or steering parts or incorrect tire pressure.

1. Unbalanced wheels

The leading cause of steering wheel vibration in Dodge Journey, especially when driving at high speeds, is unbalanced wheels. If only front wheels are out of balance, the vibration is typically strongest at the steering wheel. If rear wheels are out of balance, the vibration can be felt throughout the vehicle’s body.

What causes Dodge Journey wheels to go out of balance?

An imbalance in the wheels of your Journey is usually caused by uneven wear of the tires, or from contact with potholes or obstacles. This shifts the center of gravity of the rim and tire unevenly around the axis. In combination with the centrifugal force that occurs at high speeds, the wheel begins to vibrate and the steering wheel begins to wobble. This not only increases the wear and tear on the wheels, but also the wear and tear on other components of your vehicle.

Do brand new tires need to be balanced?

New tires can have imperfections from the manufacturer. If you have new tires fitted to the rims of your Dodge Journey, it is standard procedure that you also have the tires correctly balanced to avoid vibrations and premature wear caused by the imbalance of the rotating wheels.

How are Journey wheels balanced?

Dodge Journey wheels can be balanced on a specialty piece of equipment called a wheel balancer, which is available at most car workshops. The wheels are clamped in the machine and then rotated. During the rotation, various sensors determine whether the wheels are running smoothly or unevenly. If an imbalance is detected, it is corrected by attaching small weights to the rim. These compensate for the unevenly distributed weight of the tire and ensure that the wheel runs smoothly.

How often should Dodge Journey tires be balanced?

There are no fixed intervals for balancing tires on your Journey, but it is recommended to balance the wheels with tire rotation every six months or 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Regular balancing not only reduces tire wear and prevents expensive consequential damage to the vehicle, but also increases driving comfort and your safety.

2. Bad wheel alignment

Misaligned wheels can also cause steering wheel vibration in your Dodge Journey. Wheel alignment is an important and often overlooked aspect of maintenance. Potholes and curbs can easily misalign your wheels, resulting in poor control and excessive wear on your tires.

What are the symptoms of bad wheel alignment in Dodge Journey?

The most obvious sign of misaligned wheels in Journey is when your vehicle pulls to one side and you constantly have to adjust the steering wheel to drive in a straight line. Some other signs include uneven or rapid tire wear, crooked steering wheel when driving straight and squealing tires.

How is wheel alignment performed on Dodge Journey?

Wheel alignment is primarily carried out using electrical diagnostic tools. Using sensors that are attached to the wheels of Journey, a computer system recognizes the extent to which the actual values ​​deviate from the target values. The target values ​​are the standardized values ​​specified by the manufacturer. The measured values ​​can be compared on a computer and deviations are interpreted and corrected directly.

How often should wheel alignment be performed on Dodge Journey?

In contrast to wearing parts, there are no fixed maintenance intervals or manufacturer specifications for wheel alignment. Therefore, such a review is usually at your own discretion. Nevertheless, it is advisable to check the treads for abnormal wear at least as part of the tire rotation every six months or 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Do note that driving habits can heavily influence how often you need to get your Journey wheels aligned.

3. Tire damage

Tire damage is one of the common causes for a wobbling steering wheel. Visually inspect all the tires on your Dodge Journey for any cuts, cracks, bulges and uneven wear. But sometimes the damage to the tire is not easily visible, for example when the belt breaks inside the tire, which can even happen to brand new tires.

4. Rim damage

A bent rim can also cause the steering wheel to shake on your Dodge Journey. Such damage usually occurs when obstacles such as curbs, speed bumps or deep potholes are driven over too quickly. Balancing the wheels would probably not fix the problem, a bent rim must be replaced.

Even if there is no visible damage, the whole rim could be deformed resulting in uneven diameter. An experienced mechanic can tell if the rim is bent by mounting it on the wheel balancing machine.

5. Bad wheel bearing

A defective wheel bearing can cause steering wheel vibrations in Dodge Journey. The most common signs of bad wheel bearing are grinding noise in the cabin when driving straight, a knocking noise when cornering, and the vehicle vibrates. The faster you drive, the louder the grinding noise and stronger the vibration.

What causes bearings to fail in Dodge Journey?

Even when driving your Journey in a straight line, the bearings have to absorb high radial forces. The entire weight of the vehicle rests on the bearings. When driving, the speed creates additional forces. If a curve is then also driven through, axial forces occur. High impacts on the bearings also occur on uneven roads or when driving through potholes. Impacts of all kinds are much more damaging to bearings than the high loads. Therefore, all wheel bearings eventually fail. However, how soon they fail depends on driving habits. In normal driving conditions, they typically last around 100,000 miles.

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6. worn engine mounts.

The purpose of the engine mounts in Dodge Journey is to hold the engine in place and minimize transfer of vibrations to the vehicle body. Engine mounts are under constant stress, exposed to high forces, strong vibrations and environmental influences. Therefore, regardless of the quality, they all begin to wear down after usage and eventually require replacement, typically after 5-10 years.

The easiest way to recognize a defective engine mount in Journey is by its typical symptoms. In particular, clearly noticeable vibrations on the body, the steering wheel or the gearshift lever, even when idling, indicate a defect. Unfamiliar noises are also clear signs of a defective engine mount. Further symptoms are pounding noises when starting and stopping the engine as well as a loud or uneven engine running. However, this only applies if the engine itself is running technically flawlessly and smoothly.

7. Loose wheel nuts

Another cause of steering wheel vibrations in your Dodge Journey is obvious and simple to diagnose, the wheel lug nuts may have come loose or were not properly tightened when changing tires. This cause can be checked and ruled out with the help of a lug wrench.

Important for every tire change: The wheel hub and the area on the back of the rim around the center hole should be cleaned, preferably with a wire brush, in order to remove all dirt safely.

8. Bad axle

A worn out or faulty axle component can also result in unwanted vibrations in your Dodge Journey. An axle is a rod or shaft that rotates the wheels and supports the vehicle’s weight. They are responsible for transmitting power of the engine to the wheels.

9. Worn suspension or steering parts

Looseness in suspension or steering system components can cause steering wheel vibrations in your Journey. Overly worn ball joints or tie rod ends makes it difficult to properly align your vehicle. Some common signs include vibrations from the front end or through the steering wheel, clunking or rattling noise coming from your front suspension especially when going over speed bumps or when turning the vehicle. In extreme cases, your front end can not only vibrate but also shake violently at high speeds, this phenomenon has been nicknamed “death wobble”.

10. Low tire pressure

Low tire pressure can also make your Dodge Journey vibrate at high speeds. Make sure air pressure in all four tires is according to the recommended pressure by the manufacturer. The recommended air pressure is listed on the driver’s door jam or in the owners manual.

11. Over-inflated tires

If the tire pressure is too high, the tire only touches the road with the center of the tread. As a consequence, it wears itself down more and it wears out unevenly. In addition, excessively high tire pressure has negative consequences: Longer braking distance due to the small contact area, sidewall stiffness and tread rigidity may trigger vibrations.

There are many reasons why the steering wheel is shaking in your Dodge Journey. When looking for the reason, you should always start with the most obvious causes, unbalanced or misaligned wheels.

In any case, it is advisable for laypersons to visit a workshop. A professional mechanic can swiftly diagnose the vibration problem for you.

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Dodge Journey Engine Knocking Causes + How to Fix

One of the most alarming sounds you can hear from your Dodge Journey is the engine knocking. Unfortunately, an engine knock can be a sign of significant engine problems.

The first thing you should do is check your Journey’s oil. If it’s low, fill it up. If it appears frothy, there may be coolant getting into it.

This guide is designed to help you assess what is causing the knocking sound in your Dodge Journey. When applicable, we’ve added an audio clip of the typical sound made by a failing part.

Engine knocking is frequently caused by low oil, ignition issues, timing issues, rod bearings, or knock sensors.

Engine Knock Diagnosis:  Dodge Journey

Before you do any looking around, is the check engine light on?  

If it is, it’s time to get the diagnostic codes from the ECM and use those to help you find the problem.  If you don’t have an OBDII scanner, the local parts store will usually scan for codes for you as a courtesy.

If there’s no check engine light, going off of the sound type can help you deduce why your Dodge Journey is knocking.

Dodge Journey Engine Knocking Causes

Here are a few of the most common issues that would cause your Journey’s engine to knock:

If your Dodge Journey is low on oil, it’ll cause a harsh knock as the engine is starved for oil. There are three major reasons why oiling issues will cause your Journey to knock.

The knocking sound isn’t as deep as throwing a rod, but it’s very noticeable.

• No oil at all
• Lack of oil pressure (oil pump, worn engine, or sludge buildup from infrequent oil changes)
• Water or coolant in the oil.

Bad Spark Plugs

A prevalent reason that your Journey’s engine will knock is bad spark plugs.  Spark plugs are vital to proper engine combustion.  There must be a solid spark to achieve clean combustion. When the spark plugs aren’t burning right, your vehicle will spark knock.

Over time, spark plugs can fail for a few different reasons:

• Wrong Plug – If you aren’t using the spark plug recommended by Dodge, it would be a good idea to go ahead and swap them for the correct plug .  The wrong plug can burn too hot or cold, which has a direct effect on the combustion and cause engine knocking.
• Worn-Out Plug – Spark plugs can wear out over time.  You need to replace the spark plugs at the recommended intervals.  If you have high mileage or the plugs look worn, go ahead and change them all.
• Improper Gap – Almost all modern vehicles take pre-gapped spark plugs. But you should still check the gap when you install them. Now and then, you’ll be surprised by one. Check your gap if you’ve recently had your Journey’s plugs replaced and you’re now hearing a knock.
• Spark Timing – All of the internal parts of your Dodge Journey’s engine, as well as the sensors and computer, coordinate the engine timing so that the spark plug fires at precisely the right moment.  If something is off with this timing, the fuel will fire at the wrong time, and there can be a knock.

Spark plugs are the most common part of the ignition system that can cause your Journey to knock, and definitely where you should start looking.  But there are other parts, such as the coil packs and plug wires (if equipped), that you should be looking at.

The coil pack sends a spark to your vehicle’s plugs.  If they send a weak spark, the air/fuel mixture will not be able to properly fire, no matter how good the spark plugs are.

Timing Chain Jumped Symptoms and Diagnosis Dodge Journey: Bad Timing Belt or Chain Symptoms

Rod Knock/Worn Bearings

A rod knock is perhaps the easiest knock type to identify. It’s deep and loud.

Rod bearings exist in between the crankshaft and piston connecting rods.  When they wear out, the space between the rod bearings and connecting rods grows. As the crank turns in a circle, the connecting rods bang into the bearing and make a deep knocking sound. 

If your Journey has a sound coming from it like the sound above, the engine will need a rebuild or replacement.

Other Causes

Here are other knocking causes, but they aren’t as common as the ones listed above.

Carbon Deposits

Carbon can form at the top of your Journey’s combustion chamber.  This effectively increases the compression ratio.  Too much compression can lead to detonation.

Modern fuels are required to keep carbon cleaning detergents mixed in with them.  Even so, deposits still build, leading to a knocking sound.  

If this is the case, you will need to bring your Journey into a shop to have it cleaned.  You could also try one of those cleaners in a bottle, although we recommend getting it to a professional.

Wrong Octane/Bad Gas

Bad fuel can cause your Journey’s engine to knock.  The wrong fuel can also cause a knocking sound.  

Using fuel with the proper octane rating is essential.  If you need to be using premium fuel, use it.

Air/Fuel Mixture Too Lean

Sensor issues can cause the air/fuel mixture to lean out.  If the mixture gets incredibly lean, it can cause your Journey’s engine to knock.   Bad fuel injectors , oxygen sensors , MAF sensor , and more can cause a lean air/fuel mixture.

Knock Sensor

Modern engines use a knock sensor to correct knocking automatically.  If the knock sensor goes bad, then the motor can knock.  A bad knock sensor will often throw a trouble code, such as P0325 (knock sensor “1”).

Exhaust Leak

An exhaust leak at or around the exhaust can make a noise, often mistaken for a knocking sound.

Above, we identified the most common causes of knocking in the Dodge Journey. Most of them are serious engine problems, so if you can’t figure out what’s causing them, we recommend bringing your vehicle to an experienced mechanic.