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Prius 2007 shakes at 50mph or more ONLY when accelerating

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Matheus, Feb 22, 2022.

  1. Matheus

    Matheus New Member

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    Hi everyone, I have a Toyota Prius that I own since 130k miles. When I got the car I replaced the oil, of course, the coolant (It was yellow) and the transmission oil (by the way I'm so thankful for this community, everything was based on posts and tutorials from you guys ❤️). Both coolant and transmission oil I got at the dealership.

    Now, with 160k, the car shakes only when I give gas. It's not the steering wheel that shake, it's the WHOLE car. Like when the back tires are not balanced. But they are (by the way, when that issue started, I replaced all 4 tires because I was planning to change in that month anyways, but it didn't changed anything).

    So then the other day I lifted only the driver wheel and made the wheel to rotate at 70mph. I didn't felt vibration at all. But then I did the same with the passenger side, and I felt the exact same vibration. So then I was like... Ok... I hope it is the CV axle. I replaced that and the same issue persist

    In the same day I was like... Ok, I'm done! I brought it to a mechanic. Two days later I go to get my car and the mechanic wasn't able to find the issue. I don't know where to shoot anymore. Did anyone had any similar issue before?

    Ps: sorry for my bad English, it's my 3rd language.

    Cheers
     
  2. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    When this vibration occurs while driving, do you get a check engine light? More specifically, do you see a flashing check engine light?
     
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  3. Matheus

    Matheus New Member

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    thanks for answering!

    No engine lights, no misfire. Also I replaced the spark plugs 2 days ago and nothing has changed... I can hear the engine and it sounds smoothly... Also, when I'm 55mph with the engine almost off (foot off the accelerator) and i give full gas, I can feel instantly the vibration. So I guess even with the engine "off" but accelerating, it vibrates.
     
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Have you had anyone else look at this? Sometimes these things can be minor aberrations that are noticeable to someone who takes really good care of the car, but isn't noticed by a passenger. In other words, can you give us a sense of how severe the shaking is?

    Also are you still on original shocks/struts? What condition do those test out as?
     
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  5. Matheus

    Matheus New Member

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    nobody after that mechanic. Should I bring it to a transmission specialist, or Toyota? (I don't know if Toyota gives free estimates)
    Anyways... It shakes a lot, I can see the passenger seat shaking and it's very noticeable for passengers. ={

    About shocks/struts, I'm pretty sure they're not that bad (I don't know if they're the originals), because when I'm breaking on a bumpy road, the brakes works solid... Also, no noises or continuously movement (up and down).

    Cheers
     
  6. drone13

    drone13 Active Member

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    You might want to check the motor mounts. That's something that will be at its worst under acceleration and engine load and will act just like what you are experiencing. Worth a quick check.
     
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  7. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Another thing to look at. Unlikely, but I've learned to never say never.....are the axles OEM? The OEM passenger side axle has a rubber vibration dampener around the shaft. Many aftermarket ones don't have it. Or maybe it came off?
     
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  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Get the car up to 60 miles and hour and put the trans in neutral. Does it coast smoothly? Vibration gone?

    Put the engine in inspection mode. Go on YouTube and look up

    prius inspection

    it will allow the engine to idle continuously until you shut the car off. It will allow you to listen to the engine. Do not drive the car in that mode but it will safely idle till you turn it off. With car idling get under the engine and listen to it. Any bad thumping? Sounds like engine too me.

    Has the car ever ran so low on engine oil it turned on the flashing yellow check engine light?

    There have been many reports over the years of bad vibration from passenger side with a shorted transmission motor shorted field coil. Blown out trans winding. But usually it has a red triangle of death on the dash too.

    Tell me how you changed the trans fluid?
     
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  9. Matheus

    Matheus New Member

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    Do you know the location of that? And, what should I expect to see? I did saw two (top engine on the passenger side, near de belt, and one right in the middle of the car under the engine), but I have no idea if they're faulty. It looks normal but I don't know what to expect, maybe I'm wrong. I will take another look and update you, thanks!!
     
  10. Matheus

    Matheus New Member

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    The one that was in the car had, the newer one doesn't have (it's not OEM). But the problem is exactly the same, didn't changed a bit. No even 1% lol
     
  11. Matheus

    Matheus New Member

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    I drained the trans fluid, cleaned the magnet on the bolt and filled it up (w/ a transfer pump) till transmission fluid came out of the upper bolt. That i did 30k miles ago.

    Yesterday I also changed the fluid again, which by the way was a little dark (not black, but wasn't red), i put some in a napkin and it was pretty red, I guess it was in good condition. The only thing that I did different this time was vacuuming (with both bolts off) the rest of the oil, just to kinda completely drain.
    But... Nothing changed. Issue persist. I will do that tests and update you. Thanks and cheers =D
     
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  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Weird that it has no check engine lights. This car is very good about throwing a code. So whatever it is its strictly mechanical.

    You never answered my question. Has the engine ever run so low on engine oil it turned on the blinking check engine light on the dash?
     
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  13. Matheus

    Matheus New Member

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    So sorry everyone for my delay, thanks so much for answering and giving me suggestions. I replaced the driver CV axle because it was leaking (by the way I did a gigantic mess, all the brand new transmission fluid felt in about 30 seconds . I was ready for that when I replaced the passenger side, and anything happened. So I was like, ok... That's not going to happen in the driver side. DUMB!!)

    My problem was fixed (of course I had to replace the transmission oil again lol). Unfortunately I didn't followed any tutorial in here, so maybe I skipped some crucial step, but everything seems to be working 100% and without any leaks.
    Again, thanks for everyone trying to help, you guys are a legend!!
     
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