So two days ago when I was turning on my car, it didn't seem like the engine was on after it turned over. I tried to go into "D" and nothing happened. Turned the car off and tried it again. The same thing happened; idle was at about 500/600. It seemed like it turned over and just died.

The third time I tried turning it on it actually turned on. However, there was this violent shaking of (I'm assuming) the engine and thus the whole car. It finally settled after about 15 seconds. Any guess as to what happened?

 

has the ignition switch been replaced under the recall for 99s?
If its been more than a few years- it may have failed again

Has your transmission been acting up at all lately?

 

was it cold out when this happened to you? is your check enging light and TCS light on solid when this happens? i had the same problem, and appartently its missfire....

 

Check the IACV and ignition switch

 

The ignition switch has been replaced in '02. How would I go about checking it?

The transmission's been fine. I know my friend complained about the harsh shift from 1->2 the night before but that was because he wasn't used to it in cold weather.

It was actually the warmest day of the year so far on Long Island, NY. The TCS light was on but that seems normal since it's always the last light go to off.

I'm going to go out and make some checks today. It's been fine ever since though (this happened Thursday afternoon).

Thanks guys!

 

The TCS light should only be on when you start the car-not while driving
Harsh shift 1-2- thats not normal either
those are both trans warnings
The ignition switch- lasted 3 years on the orignal- and its been 6 years since- I would put 2 and 2 on that
if the dash lights up with the engine dying prob, or if you wiggle your keys and it affects it, new switches are 40 bucks from dealer
Have aamco test the trans and drive it with you

 

TCS was only on when starting.

The harsh shifts don't really occur unless it's cold out and the car hasn't been driven for a while. After 5 minutes or so the harsh shifts stop happening so I'm guessing it's ok? When it's warm out it doesn't happen at all.

I haven't had any lights turn on yet unless it's during start or if I step on it too hard during a stand still and get the TCS light because of wheel spin. I just took it out for a drive today, so far still no problems.

Will look into AAMCO, any other suggestions?

 

For what it's worth, my 1999 TL is on its 3rd ignition switch. The post recall replacements can and do fail.

Other than the jiggling the key trick, the easiest way to see if it's the problem is to install a replacement. They are less than $50 and you can replace it yourself if you don't might working upside down under the stearing column.

When I replaced my ignition switch I also ran into a third "mystery screw" that was not mentioned in my Helm manual.

See this post for more details on that:

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-parts-sale-361/nextel-i730-sale-look-156725/

Good luck and let us know what you figure out.