Horrible Vibration in steering wheel and driver seat

[oncehadamustang]

2000 Windstar - 46,000 - I have this horrible vibration in my steering wheel and driver seat while the van is stopped while in drive. If I put the van into any other gear it will stop. It doesnt do it while I am driving only while stopped at a light or stop sign. It almost feels likes a fan runing but it isnt the fan. Any clues??

[oncehadamustang]

Originally Posted by oncehadamustang

2000 Windstar - 46,000 - I have this horrible vibration in my steering wheel and driver seat while the van is stopped while in drive. If I put the van into any other gear it will stop. It doesnt do it while I am driving only while stopped at a light or stop sign. It almost feels likes a fan runing but it isnt the fan. Any clues??

Anyone?? Someone has to have a little idea?

[chigowolfs76]

does it do it all the time???? once in a while??? I woul start first with the gas... maybe old gas...

[JenCel]

mine is doing the same exact thing. In drive at idle and sometimes in park and mostly in reverse when I have the break on. I did put on the ebrake and looked underneath and I noticed that the exhaust pipe(?) there underneath that has those mesh metal covers at each end was vibrating up and down reallly fast. So whatever it is that is making my steering wheel, seat, something inside my dash, and pretty much I think the whole van vibrate almost rhythmically I do not know but would really like to! The transmission guy I stopped to see yesterday said it isn't the transmission doing it but I don't know???? Why when in certain gears is it vibrating badly over others?? Any help here is GREATLY appreciated.

Jennifer

[wiswind]

1. Engine mount?
Under certain load conditions.....as when you are in gear.....engine and transaxle assembly are pressing against their mountings differently....and if there is more movement permitted than is normal....the vibration can take place.

2.....
If the exhaust pipe (with the converters) is moving a lot, check the hanger where it connects to the transaxle. The front 'Y' pipe assembley (usually called catalyitic converter in parts lists...and is the pipes from the exhaust manifold, the 2 catalytic converters, and the 'Y' where the 2 pipes become 1....) connects to the exhaust manifold, the transaxle, and then the single pipe with the flex sections...which connects to the large square muffler.
In other words, there are 4 points of connection.....all but 1 (transaxle bracket) would make a lot of noise if they were broken......

[JenCel]

That sounds good. Now maybe to narrow it down a little....I have felt on many occasions a thump coming from the front passenger foot rest area when accelerating in stop and go situations. Does that help?

[oncehadamustang]

Originally Posted by wiswind

1. Engine mount?
Under certain load conditions.....as when you are in gear.....engine and transaxle assembly are pressing against their mountings differently....and if there is more movement permitted than is normal....the vibration can take place.

2.....
If the exhaust pipe (with the converters) is moving a lot, check the hanger where it connects to the transaxle. The front 'Y' pipe assembley (usually called catalyitic converter in parts lists...and is the pipes from the exhaust manifold, the 2 <a style='text-decoration: none; border-bottom: 3px double;' href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=22&k=catalytic%20converters" onmouseover="window.status='catalytic converters'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">catalytic converters</a>, and the 'Y' where the 2 pipes become 1....) connects to the exhaust manifold, the transaxle, and then the single pipe with the flex sections...which connects to the large square muffler.
In other words, there are 4 points of connection.....all but 1 (transaxle bracket) would make a lot of noise if they were broken......

Wiswind -
Great Advise! I am going to start there. It is just the most horrible feeling. I was afraid it was the Tourqe converter or somthing worse. But like it does happen daily and only while stopped in drive..Doesnt happen when you put the van in park nor reverse. I will check into those areas you gave me.

Thank You!!