Shaking problem.....

[fr8mscr8pr]

Last night I installed my keyless entry and remote start on my 2000 Ford Explorer..Everything works fine with that. However when I was locating my Tachometer wire I took my instrument cluster out. When I did there is a cable piece that goes to the shifter piece on the column. I started to remove it and noticed that there was a wire inside that I could not tell where it was hooked so I pushed the plastic end back where it went. Now herein lies the problem (before this the truck ran perfectly) Now when I start my truck it vibrates horribly and its coming from the Tranny the engine idle is fine and there are no weird noises just vibrations. It is especially bad between 45-55 MPH. In park and nuetral it is not so bad but when put in gear it gets considerably worse...Any help would be greatly appretiated as this is my Daily Driver.

 

[steddy]

Sounds like when I did the dash lights on my '97. The cable attached somewhere down the column on one end and actuates the PRNDL indicator on the other. First time I did this, I had removed the small white plastic piece that snaps into the PRNDL indicator, then pulled the indicator out of the IP, in order to pull the IP out. When I replaced it, the cable got twisted around the plastic piece and would barely work. I just pulled the IP again, saw where it was hung up, got it so that it was straight again and have no other problems. Check to make sure that calbe has no hang ups at the PRNDL indicator. Hope this helps.

 

[fr8mscr8pr]

Awesome man thanks for the info. I will check it when I get home. I have to take the dash back apart anyway to finish my install. The only question I have is how does the wire attatch inside the plastic piece? And How in the world would that piece (since it just shows you what gear your in) make a difference in the running of vehicle....

 

[steddy]

Awesome man thanks for the info. I will check it when I get home. I have to take the dash back apart anyway to finish my install. The only question I have is how does the wire attatch inside the plastic piece? And How in the world would that piece (since it just shows you what gear your in) make a difference in the running of vehicle....

Well, it could "lie" as to what gear, if not fully into it, you are. I would just find it hard to believe that anything got hurt on the install (vac lines, etc.). What I found was that since the cable wouldn't move fully, it was making it harder to put into actual gears. It would go, but it didn't feel right. I think that plastic piece, as well as being how the cable is mounted, is also a guide for it. I found it was easy to twist the cable if that piece came out of the PRNDL housing.

 

[fr8mscr8pr]

So I am assuming that it was a pretty easy fix. As far as finding exactly how the cable and plastic piece are inserted?

 

[steddy]

Relatively. I had to use a pair of long needles nose to do it, being that my fingers were too big. First, I made sure there was no cable wrapped around the plastic piece, then made sure to hear a click when re-inserting it on the left of the indicator, then I snapped the indicator back into position. I found it helpful to use as little angle as possible when inserting it back in.

 

[fr8mscr8pr]

Update: Still having problems rechecked all wiring and fixed previous mentioned cable problem. Had it diagnosed at AutoZone...Cylinder 2 is missfiring. and system is running lean..O2 sensors maybe?.......Replaced spark plugs, wires, pvc valve, fuel filter, Ignition packs, Checked all fuses... Now for some reason its worse then before. Checked fire on all cylinders. with new items, I have 0 spark on 3 cylinders all the driver side cylinders No spark at all.....passenger side is firing on all cylinders..I am stumped as to why I have no fire on just the driver side......Come on FORDIES Help a brotha out..

 

[gijoecam]

First, I believe that the initial rough running after the remote start install was just coincidence... I can't think of anything you could have damaged up in the column that would affect the running. The Digital Transmission Range Sensor that tells the PCM what gear you're in is located on the transmission, not in the column.

As for no spark on the entire left bank, that's a new one for me... No idea there... Are you sure you have the new wires connected in the proper positions?

For a 2000 SOHC, the positions should be:
1 2 3
5 6 4
(front)

For a 2000 OHV, the order should be:
4 5 6
3 2 1
(connector)

They are not the same firing order.... Could it be possible you got the wires crossed when reinstalling them?

 

[fr8mscr8pr]

Update #2.....Checked plug positions and all are as diagrammed above. I am getting fire from 1,2,3,4 (very faint),5 (a little better then #4, and None at all from number 6. I check the fire from the ignition pack and all positions are getting fire to the pack......The plugs are brand new (could some be bad?). But then again the old ones would have had to be bad (on the exact same positions) what kind of coincidence would that be? I am stumped and I have to go to work Please any ideas are greatly appreciated..I am almost at wits end.....

 

[fr8mscr8pr]

I am still stuck guys I have retraced everything that I know I touched during the past couple days. I have found nothing and still the above problem persists.

 

[gijoecam]

Have you tried unplugging or disconnecting everything on the remote start to determine if that could be related to the issue? Maybe there's a wire that's spliced-into that's no longer sending the proper signal to the PCM or the coil pack... I'm thinking maybe the tach signal wire or something like that?

Aside from that, I'm out of idears... Sorry.

 

[fr8mscr8pr]

I was actually gonna try that when I got home this evening. However would that actually affect the spark? I mean I am getting spark to the pack but not some of the wires. Only thing I can think is that maybe I tapped into a wire that lowered the voltage to where it just doesnt output enough to feed all items on its circuit.....