My car seems to be falling apart or something

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epj3

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Alright starting yesterday, I had a few odd problems.

New Problems on 4/12:

-License Plate Frame light came on (Check lights) but went out after restart
-Low Coolant light (Check lights), but again, turned off after restart

(Note: None of these came back on 4/13)

New Problems on 4/13:

-Shifter started to vibrate creating a LOT of noise in 4th gear. Everything enguages correctly and stays in gear, car drives fine, but the vibrating is annoying.
-Rattle coming from ceiling in rear, mostly evident when accelerating slowly in first gear when exhaust/engine reaches a certain frequency but then goes away.
-Rear end appears to be sagging, suspension needs to be replaced, but why would this just start now?
-When decelerating slightly, there is a repetitive sound coming from the rear of the car that will varry from wheel/axel speed (not engine speed). Sounds like a wheel bearing but it only happens when slowing down without brakes in 4th gear. Any ideas?? I am thinking it could be the center support bearing or guibo which could explain the 4th gear shifter rattle?

Maybe it's the rain.
 
jrt67ss350

jrt67ss350

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If your shifter is vibrating and making noise, check your flex disc ASAP!!! The flex disc sits right underneath the shifter selector rod, and there is not much clearance at all between the two. When the flex disc starts to come apart, it will typically expand and hit the selector rod, creating vibration and noise in the shifter. You don't want to be driving when that thing completely lets loose.
 
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epj3

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jrt67ss350 said:
If your shifter is vibrating and making noise, check your flex disc ASAP!!! The flex disc sits right underneath the shifter selector rod, and there is not much clearance at all between the two. When the flex disc starts to come apart, it will typically expand and hit the selector rod, creating vibration and noise in the shifter. You don't want to be driving when that thing completely lets loose.
Click to expand...
Oh i've had a guibo in posession since the 2nd week of january, but havent had weather or access to fix it. I also have a center support bearing -- but i'm not taking anything off until I see if i need to replace the exhasut in a few weeks.
 
mjbst111

mjbst111

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the liscence plate light (LPL...) and coolant light will turn on and stay on until you turn off your car even if the problem is temporary. If you go around a bend and the coolant moves and the sensor thinks its low for a second then the light will stay on until you turn off the car. Same with a loose connection on your LPL.

My LPL always came on with bass cause i had a loose connection. It was so annoying. My coolant light is on all day every day. Maybe I'll spend the 35 dollars for a new sensor some day.
 
Custom 3

Custom 3

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If the problem is only happening in 4th gear, that pretty much rules out transmission problems since 4th gear is direct drive (1:1). No gear reduction happening in the tranny, so the output shaft and engine RPM are the same. It definitely could be guibo problems for the vibration. As far as the sag is concerned...new springs may be in order.

For safety's sake, I'd recommend jacking the car up, put a jack stand in there, and the wiggle your way under the car and take a look at your guibo and center supports. If that is indeed the problem, it's only a matter of time. And I can assure you that a tow truck will run you more than the cost of a replacement part.
 
B

Bimmubishi

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The vibration could be a sympathetic vibration that's only caused in 4th gear because of the shifter's side load against the shift fork detents. The linkage on the E30 has several bushings in it that wear. They're easy to replace and cheap but it's a dirty job.

The rear end noise sounds like a bad CV joint on one of the axles.

Remove the rear light bulbs and sand the contacts with steel wool (disconnect battery first) that will fix the light issue.


Rear end sag could also be subframe bushings which are a royal pain to replace.

The coolant level float could be leaking sending coolant into the bobber and causing it to contact the switch. (look at how it works and you'll see what I'm talking about) You can easily replace that.


Help from the "ricer" you can thank me later.


AL
 
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