Rattling noise when accelerating and vibration

[olopezm]

Hi guys,

I can hear a rattling sound when accelerating specially around 2000 RPM's and is more noticeable when going uphill and a general vibration of the car when starting to accelerate from a stop. It all began about a year ago when some schmuck fixed a cracked head and bad LIM gaskets (I had to take the "easy" way to fix it and took it to the shop, until this day I still regret that...).

I was thinking the rattling could be a small crack at the intake boot (the rattling is very similar when you run the car with the boot disconnected from the throttle body) so I decided to replace it but didn't solve the problem.

I found the bushing in one of the torque strut mounts was bad, I decided to replace both hoping that would take care of the problem but it didn't. That's when I decided to take another look under the car and the engine and transmission mounts both look good on the outside, I don't know if they can fail internally....

A friend borrowed my jack stands so I couldn't inspect much (another friend choked to death when his car fell on him, didn't want to take that risk... ) and I want to ask if are there any common problems with heat shields or something similar?

Here's what I could found:



The bushing on the sway bar seems kinda loose (you can see between the bracket and the bushing), I'm thinking I need a new set as these bushings in my other vehicles are tight. Am I right? Could these cause the vibration? (I cannot feel it on the steering wheel, but on the entire car).



I found this connector hanging loose. Does anyone have any idea of where could it belong to? It's in the same harness as the transmission range switch.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Oscar.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by olopezm

I found this connector hanging loose. Does anyone have any idea of where could it belong to? It's in the same harness as the transmission range switch.

Oscar, off the top of my head it could be to the Magnasteer rack and pinion. Another possibility is to the post CAT converter 02 sensor. The transmission range switch should have two electrical connector plugs going to it.

[olopezm]

Thanks Bob,

I guess it must be the magnasteer connector and since my car doesn't have it (as far as I can remember) I didn't pay any attention to it and that's why I couldn't find any reference in my manual LOL.

The O2 sensor connectors are OK and the TRS has both connectors too so it must definitely be the magnasteer thing. I used to think the factory would use two different harnesses depending on being equipped or not.

Any thoughts on the vibration?

Oscar.