Steering wheel shakes with headlights on (Question for a friend, not my car) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

xCaldazar · 07-22-2011, 05:17 PM

So I thought I might see if anyone is familiar with this type of problem. My friend has a manual 7th gen Corolla, I'm unsure on the exact year. I was driving it the other night and the steering wheel vibrates while driving, I mentioned it when I got out and he showed me how turning the headlights off and on stop and start the vibration. His thought was it might be the distributor, since it seemed to start when he replaced that recently. I know he also has a recently added sub and amp that would pull more wattage as well. Anyone got more educated guesses as to what would cause this? Maybe a thicker ground cable might help, or new battery?

I'm just hoping to pick some brains here for some tips. =)

jawsofire · 07-22-2011, 05:34 PM

Not sure what the problem is exactly, but try cleaning the terminals first.

trife96 · 07-22-2011, 11:20 PM

Never heard this one...The ampreage draw can be an issue and the steering wheel vibration is also an issue but should be a seperate issue in itself.

Vibration is in the chassis, or whees or even power steering pulsating. The electrical issue can also cause an assortment of problems. But I have a small amp and two 10's. Never had issues. You can always disconnect the Amp power wire from the battery and retest this issue. See if theres a difference.

But again, I'm thinking they aren't related, good luck bro

xCaldazar · 07-23-2011, 01:11 AM

Well it only vibrates with the lights on. No other time.

Piloter · 07-23-2011, 04:43 AM

All I can think of is something to do with the alternator or alternator belt...or it's possible that the idle speed drops when the headlights come on, and that plus old motor mounts starts the shaking.

xCaldazar · 07-23-2011, 11:45 AM

Ya I figured motor mounts, just seemed weird that it only happened with the lights on. Also its not just shaking during idle though, it also shakes while driving with the lights on. (Didn't need reverse so not sure about that one.)
I'm not totally expecting an answer just some ideas to take a look at since we couldn't figure it out. Thanks. =)

ganda1f · 07-24-2011, 07:46 AM

All right here is another.
If there is a lot of load on the alternator, it will be more difficult to turn, potentially causing the belt to slip. This in turn will cause the power-steering pump's RPM, and consequently the pressure, to fluctuate, which can be felt in the steering wheel.

azcorolla · 07-24-2011, 08:00 AM

I'm still thinking motor mounts, maybe they are just worse than usual.

Does it shake while idling with the lights off? and while still idling, does it get worse if you turn the lights on?

Also, if you turn on the AC, does that affect it?

xCaldazar · 07-24-2011, 03:32 PM

Thanks for the input, I had him take a look at the thread and he replied with

Quote:

i only feel the vibration when the car is out of gear... my belt has slipped on my alternator so i am thinking that is possibly what ganda1f said about the alternator being over loaded... i was watching the power steering and it seemed like it was shaking more than it should be. but i really don't know. I'll have matt take a look for it. Also i disconnected the amp and sub and the rattling was still going strong with the lights on...

trife96 · 07-24-2011, 03:57 PM

I thought about the belt slipping too, but the only problem with that is the p/s pump is driven off the water pump...which is interlinked to the alternator by another belt, so I kinda ruled that out as a possibility, but you may need a friend to observe the pulleys and belts while you turn the steering wheel back and forth with the lights on. See what happens

speedy25 · 07-24-2011, 08:42 PM

I'll bet the vibration is FELT on the steering wheel but it isnt the cause. A combination of worn engine mounts, and an idle controller that isnt working right combine to lower the idle when the lights are on and the low idle vibration is felt in the steering wheel.

Bottom line: Fix what you know is wrong anyway. The problem will probably cure itself.

-SP

jdmtoylevin · 07-26-2011, 11:21 AM

old hondas do it too, had one that did it with headlights on, i believe a aftermarket grounding kit like the sun ground kit or earthing kits as they are sometimes referred to in Japan will help to eliminate the issue, but it is weird how an electrical load can make an enfine idle too low!

Hiro Protagonist · 07-27-2011, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdmtoylevin

old hondas do it too, had one that did it with headlights on, i believe a aftermarket grounding kit like the sun ground kit or earthing kits as they are sometimes referred to in Japan will help to eliminate the issue, but it is weird how an electrical load can make an enfine idle too low!

Not at all weird actually - remember that the electrical system of the car draws from the alternator, and if you load up the alternator while the engine is idling it will automatically increase the idle speed to compensate - if the idle-up circuit is non-functioning then the extra load that the alternator draws will drop the speed of the engine causing it to run rough.