Last Updated on July 15, 2022
It can be a sign of something more serious, such as a broken or damaged tyre, misfiring spark plugs, or a worn-out catalytic converter. Fortunately, most of these issues are easily fixed. To find out what’s causing your car to jerk, read on to find out if yours is one of these. Listed below are some possible causes.
Misfiring spark plugs
Car jerks while stopped can be the result of misfiring spark plugs. These spark plugs send electrical current into the engine’s combustion chamber to ignite a mixture of fuel and air. If they fail, you’ll notice a variety of symptoms, including slow acceleration and poor fuel economy. A replacement spark plug will resolve the problem and make the car smooth and reliable.
Another common cause of car jerks while stopped is misfiring spark plugs. This type of problem can be caused by dirty spark plugs or bad plug cables. Identifying the bad spark plug is easy. However, you’ll want to replace all of them to prevent further failures. You can perform a visual inspection to identify whether one of them is to blame for the jerking.
A malfunctioning spark plug can also cause the check engine light to come on. While a car may not necessarily flash when misfiring spark plugs cause car jerks while stopped, it can be an indication of a bigger problem. A faulty catalytic converter or mass airflow sensor are other possible causes for jerking. But misfiring spark plugs will cause car jerks while stopped, so be sure to check these first.
Other common causes of car jerks while stopped are worn-out piston rings and valve seats. Check for low compression among the cylinders and conduct a leak-down test to find the weakest one. Misfires can also occur if the engine’s exhaust gas recirculation valve is malfunctioning. An EGR valve is used to introduce controlled exhaust gases back into the combustion chamber, which lowers the cylinder’s temperature and reduces harmful emissions. Carbon buildup can damage this valve.
Worn-out acceleration cable
If your car jerks when accelerating, it might be due to a worn-out acceleration cable. The cable is the mechanical link between the gas pedal and the throttle plate. When damaged, the cable will not function properly, causing the car to jerk when accelerating. It can also slow down your car’s response time. If this sounds like you, then it may be time to replace your accelerator cable.
In some cases, a broken acceleration cable is the cause of car jerks while stopped. It is critical to replace this cable if you notice the car jerking while you’re stopped. Otherwise, it could cause the car to break or stall in the middle of the road. The repair price for an accelerator cable can vary greatly, ranging from $150 to $350.
Another cause of car jerks while stopped is a faulty mass airflow sensor. The sensor measures how much air reaches the engine and sends the measurements to the car’s computer. A failed MAF may cause your car to jerk when accelerating uphill. An OBD2 scan will reveal if this is the cause. Another common cause of car jerks while stopped is a worn-out gas pedal.
Another common symptom of a worn-out acceleration cable is a delayed response time. The engine should respond to the pressure on the gas pedal instantly. A stretched acceleration cable may delay the response time. In order to diagnose the problem and fix it, you will need to know if your car’s acceleration cable is faulty. Once the cable is repaired, the issue will be solved.
Worn-out catalytic converter
You may have noticed your car jerking while stopped, and it’s likely caused by a worn-out catalytic converter. This part of the exhaust system reduces pollution and increases fuel efficiency, but there are some signs you should look for to determine if it’s the cause. First of all, you should check the filter in your car’s air filter, as a clogged filter can make your car jerk while it’s stopped. Moreover, you should check it at every oil change to ensure that it is clean and free of any particles that could damage your car’s engine.
Another common reason for a jerking car is a clogged fuel injector. This could be the cause of the jerking. If this is the case, you should clean the injectors and replace them. Another potential cause of jerking while stopped is a clogged catalytic converter. A catalytic converter helps regulate emissions and if it’s clogged, the car will have an uneven fuel and air mixture.
Another cause of jerking while stopped is a damaged fuel line. This component transports fuel throughout the car. A damaged fuel line can cause uneven pressure and a lack of fuel. When this happens, your car will jerk and possibly lose control, and you may have to push the pedal to regain control of the vehicle. If the problem is not addressed quickly, the car could even catch fire.
Damaged tyres
A damaged tyre could be one of the main reasons why your car jerks while stopping and accelerating. The jerk may also be due to poor brake fluid. In addition to causing the jerk, a damaged tyre can lead to the car being out of alignment. To determine whether your tyres are damaged, try inspecting them by hand.
Dirty fuel filter – If your car jerks while stopped, it may be due to a dirty fuel filter. Dirty fuel filters may also be the cause of the problem, preventing the engine from properly burning fuel. Similarly, if your car jerks while accelerating, the accelerator cable is most likely to be the culprit. If it’s blocked, it will take longer to accelerate and will cause the car to jerk.
Other possible causes include dirty fuel injectors and a dirty fuel filter. Dirty fuel filters prevent the correct amount of fuel from reaching the engine, which in turn causes the car to jerk while accelerating. Dirty fuel filters can also cause your car to jerk when accelerating, but don’t worry – changing the fuel filter is easy and can be carried out at home.
Worn-out spark plugs
If your car jerks while stopped, it may be a sign that you have worn-out spark plugs. Spark plugs are responsible for delivering power to the engine. When the plugs become worn or dirty, they cannot ignite the fuel in your car fast enough. When this happens, the car will struggle to accelerate. This problem can be fixed easily and affordably.
The problem isn’t just with the spark plug itself. It can also be with the wires connecting the plug to the engine. The spark plug wires need to be replaced along with the spark plugs. It is best to replace the wires at the same time. Wires can wear out much faster than the spark plugs, so it is important to check them together.
Besides worn-out spark plugs, there are other causes of jerks while stopped. A clogged catalytic converter or an air intake system can also cause the car to jerk. Moreover, the car may emit a foul odor. The best way to determine the exact cause of car jerking is to get a tune-up from a mechanic.
Lastly, dirty fuel injectors are a common cause of jerking. While this problem may not be the most important cause of jerks while stopped, it can lead to other problems. Taking the time to clean your fuel injectors can help reduce the jerks and increase your car’s life. You can purchase reusable air filters to use in the future, too.
Worn-out coil packs
Among the causes of jerking while stopped is a worn-out ignition coil. This component causes the car to misfire and interferes with the power produced by the engine. The more coils and cylinders a car has, the less noticeable a dead coil will be. A dead coil is most noticeable at high rpm or while the car is under load. A bad coil can also cause an engine to stall.
A dirty fuel injector is another potential cause of jerking at low speeds. Dirty fuel injectors can’t deliver a constant stream of fuel to the cylinders, so they aren’t able to burn enough fuel. This will result in jerking acceleration and misfires. If you notice jerking while your car is stopped, you should check the fuel injectors first.
Another common cause of jerking while stopped is worn-out engine mounts. Engine mounts are responsible for holding the engine in place while driving. If you suspect that your engine mounts are faulty, you should replace them. If you suspect that the problem is with your engine mounts, you should replace them as soon as possible. If these are not the problem, you can also try replacing the air filter and/or accelerator cable.
In addition to jerking while stopped, your car will experience irregular spark distribution and misfiring of the pistons. When this happens, your car might stall or shut down. The problem could even be so severe that it results in your car stalling when you put on the gas. In some cases, you may not even notice the problem while you’re driving. In this case, it’s best to get a mechanic to check out the problem.
About The Author
Zeph Grant is a music fanatic. He loves all types of genres and can often be found discussing the latest album releases with friends. Zeph is also a hardcore content creator, always working on new projects in his spare time. He's an amateur food nerd, and loves knowing all sorts of random facts about food. When it comes to coffee, he's something of an expert - he knows all the best places to get a good cup of joe in town.