What Does It Mean When Your Car Is Jerking? 10 Common Reasons

The complexity of automobiles has steadily increased over the years, and with that has come to an increase in the number of symptoms that may be caused by a variety of factors. We may count ourselves fortunate that many of these symptoms can be detected and treated without the need for any specialized equipment.

When you speed up and your car jerks and shakes, it could be a sign of a number of problems that are happening now or could happen soon. In this section, we will talk about “what does it mean when your car is jerking” and discuss the most prevalent causes of the problem.

The Top 10 Causes of Jerking in Your Car

What does it mean when your car is jerking? Below are the ten possible messages your car is trying to convey to you as it jerks.

1. Damaged Fuel Pipes
   

To speed up, the engine must first turn the chemical energy in the fuel into mechanical energy. Gasoline pipes are responsible for moving fuel from one part of the car to another. Now, if anything were to damage the gasoline pipes, it would interfere with the process of fuel transference, which would cause the vehicle to jerk. This circumstance may lead to more severe problems, such as fires breaking out in the vehicle or other problems related to the vehicle’s internal combustion system.

2. Dirty Air Filters

When you drive, there are road pollutants such as debris, dirt, and other things that might get into your engine and pollute it; as a result, air filters are placed in vehicles to prevent these pollutants from engine contamination. However, much like a sponge, which can wipe a plate clean but also has to be washed, the air filters need to be cleaned in order to remove any blockages that have built up over time. If you don’t do any maintenance, a clogged air filter will lead to poor fuel combustion and jerks when you try to speed up.

3. Blockages in the Engine or Improper Engine Tuning

People often ignore the “Check Engine” light on the dashboard of their car for a variety of reasons, such as being careless or not knowing what it means. The light is indicating that there is a blockage in the engine; the jerking is occurring because the engine is having difficulty releasing particular gasses at the appropriate times.

Engine tuning is another task that should be performed on a regular basis. This improves the performance of your vehicle and stops any jerking that might occur.

4. Damaged Carburetor

The carburetor’s job is to mix and control the quantity of fuel and air that goes into the engine.

If the amount of fuel and air that goes into the engine cylinder changes a lot, it will make it harder for the fuel to burn properly. When the carburetor can’t do its job of balancing the mixture of fuel and air, the car jerks. If you find that the problem is with your carburetor, get it fixed or replaced as soon as possible by a professional.

5. Bad Spark Plugs

When the spark plugs ignite the fuel-air mixture, which in turn causes the pistons to move, it is a sign that the carburetor is doing its job correctly and that the correct quantity of fuel-air mixture has been introduced into the engine. In order for an engine to run properly, it requires spark plugs that are in good working order, and if they’re defective, you may end up with a broken engine and, of course, a jerking automobile.

It is recommended by mechanics that spark plugs be replaced on a regular basis. Also, it’s a good idea to check the ignition system’s wires for any signs of fraying or wear.

6. Drained Acceleration Cable

The gas cable and the throttle plate of the engine are connected to one another via the acceleration cable. When you press down on the gas pedal in an effort to accelerate, the pedal causes the cable to pull on the throttle, which in turn opens the throttle up to allow for a greater speed. If the acceleration wire is worn out or empty, it’s almost certain that the vehicle will jerk. One sign of this problem is that the cable’s outer coating is broken, and another is that the car takes longer to speed up when the accelerator pedal is stepped on.

7. Blocked Catalytic Converter
   

Installing a catalytic converter can reduce the amount of pollutants released into the atmosphere by an automobile’s exhaust. If the ratio of air to fuel in your engine is too high, a blockage may form in the catalytic converter over time. This reduces the amount of air that can flow freely through the exhaust system.

When you step on the gas pedal, the vehicle may stutter, jerk, and take longer to respond in general. In addition to jerking, other signs may include a smell of rotten eggs (caused by hydrogen sulfide), a decrease in the vehicle’s fuel economy, and the check engine light coming on.

If you use a catalytic converter cleaner, you may be able to clear away some of the smaller obstructions.

8. Faulty Mass Air Flow Sensor

It’s possible that the shaking in your car is caused by a mass airflow sensor that isn’t working right.

In the event that your MAF sensor is malfunctioning, you may notice that your vehicle suddenly jerks or surges forward while you are traveling at greater speeds, such as on the highway, where it would be most obvious.

If the mass airflow sensor is malfunctioning, the check engine light should be on.

9. Moisture Buildup

Condensation may occur beneath the distributor cap when the temperature is very low. The majority of the time, this takes place when you leave the vehicle parked outdoors overnight. Because of the moisture, the engine will misfire, and as a result, your vehicle may jerk when you try to accelerate at low speeds.

Fortunately, as the water evaporates, the issue will no longer exist, but frequent accumulations of moisture might put a strain on your engine over time.

10. Bad Transmission Control Module

It’s possible that an issue with the gearbox is to blame when an automobile jerks and shakes when accelerating. One of the most typical reasons is the transmission control module, which is also known as the solenoid.

This module is in charge of shifting gears at the appropriate times. If your control module is broken, your car will take a little longer to change gears. When the problem is severe, the automobile will shudder violently.

The cost to replace a gearbox control module varies from car to car, just like the cost to replace most other car parts. When you need to replace the control module, you should prepare yourself for an expense between $500 and $900.

The Bottom Line

It is possible to extend the life of your vehicle and enjoy hassle-free driving if you make it a habit to check on it often and make any necessary repairs as soon as possible. Above all else, avoid putting off taking your car in for maintenance until it begins jerking; instead, make it a habit to do so on a regular basis. After all, it’s just a piece of machinery, and it won’t work well if its maintenance is neglected.