I would like to add that my car has the newest intake manifold (orange one from toyota).

 

Inspect your transmission mount at the firewall and the remaining mounts. When changing directions, park to drive and vice versa, it’s usually the mount. Once the isolator breaks apart, the bolt will vibrate on the mount frame. If it’s in good shape, it’s something else.

Scan your ecu for codes as well.

 

If it is the motor mounts (probably) I recommend using Toyota OE mounts. None of the regular duty aftermarket mounts are equal in quality. Also, when one mount is bad, there's a good chance they all are bad or about to be bad.

 

Thanks 75aces and John Anthony.

I checked my ECU and there are no active codes.

I looked into the transmission mount at the rear of the engine and it does not look damaged. I was only able to see the right side since there is a sleeve on the left side. It looks alright to me. I asked a friend to change the gear from Drive to Reverse and vice versa.

The engine moves by around 2-3 in and there is a slight cabin shake when that happens. I will replace all 4 engine mounts just to be on the safe side as you suggested.

Thanks!

 

/Revisiting and updating with more information from this afternoon's test.

The vibration only seems to increase when the car is stopped in drive (e.g. stop lights). If I am driving, there is absolutely no vibration. If I am stopped and I press the gas pedal and the brakes, there is no vibration. If I am in park, driving forward or in reverse, there is no vibration.

I also put the car in drive, chocked the wheels, applied the hand brakes and looked at the engine itself. It is shaking pretty badly and the rear transmission mount seems to be working fine. I also noticed this more when the engine is at operating temperature.

I am thinking that it might be more related to vacuum leaks or maybe a MAF/O2 sensor problem. What are your thoughts?

Thanks a lot.

 

What are your thoughts?

It is most probably the mounts. There are four of them (rear/front/driver/passenger). I had the exact same symptoms and found my passenger side mount to be the worse one of the four. I replaced all of them.

 

I wanted to give an update. I replaced all the 4 mounts yesterday. Two of the mounts (battery side and rear engine) were completely torn. Changing from rear to park is smoother without the knock now.

However, when the car is in drive or reverse and stopped, the cabin still vibrates aggressively. If I touch the gas pedal to increase the RPM, the vibration goes away. This vibration occurs only when the car is not moving and in gear (drive or reverse). If the car is in neutral or park and is not moving, there is absolutely no cabin vibration.

I also replaced the MAF sensor.

Thanks.

 

I wanted to give an update. I replaced all the 4 mounts yesterday. Two of the mounts (battery side and rear engine) were completely torn. Changing from rear to park is smoother without the knock now.

However, when the car is in drive or reverse and stopped, the cabin still vibrates aggressively. If I touch the gas pedal to increase the RPM, the vibration goes away. This vibration occurs only when the car is not moving and in gear (drive or reverse). If the car is in neutral or park and is not moving, there is absolutely no cabin vibration.

I also replaced the MAF sensor.

Thanks.

What brand mounts did you get? I had to change mine twice bc I used aftermarket. I didn't learn my lesson bc I'm about to change them again.

 

The car is idle at around 600-700rpm in drive and at around 800rpm in neutral gear. I noticed that the vibration start when the car is at running temperature (not cold).

When the car is cold, I do not notice any vibration regardless of gear.

I am thinking that it might be exhaust related or catalytic convertor since that would be when close loop control is on. I'll try to upload the video of the vibration tomorrow.

 

I had a similar issue. But in my case there was CEL code warning about a misfire at a specific cylinder.
Ignition coil was the culprit.
Going strong after 1000+ miles.

https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/05-corolla-xrs-p0300-p0301-p0302-p0303-p0304.1771134/#post-14936977