Vibration when drive changes from gas to electric

[R2D2]

I experienced this vibration starting a few months ago while coasting for about 1-2 seconds and then it would smooth out. I really couldn't narrow it  down to any particular speed and seemed to be everything from about 20-70 mph. 

 

The dealer thought it might be my tires as they saw some cupping on the tread of the rear tires so they rotated them and sent me on my way.

 

Well I am back at the dealer this morning. I think I narrowed it down that it happens when the gas engine turns off and it changes to the electric motor. My theory is that maybe the clutch for the electric drive is not fully engaging immediately at switch over. I have always remarked how smooth the transition was and virtually not noticeable but not so much right now

 

Anyone else ever have this issue with their hybrid? If so what was the solution?

 

I'll post back what the dealer think about this after the diagnosis.

 

Vehicle is a 2014 with 50,500 miles.

Edited January 31, 2018 by R2D2

[R2D2]

Well they are at a loss what to do about this after looking at it for 5 hours.

 

They can feel it but unsure where it is coming from. The service manager explained to me that the electric motor does not have any clutching mechanism, it is on the same shaft as the gas so it is always there..... I am having a hard time grasping that concept but will accept it for now.

 

He thinks it actually may be the gas engine shutting down rather than the electric motor starting up. They inspected the motor mounts and nothing broken there but is theorizing it may still be a mount that has aged.

 

He is going to check with Lincoln for reports of the same issue and asked that I give him a few days to get an answer.

 

I would still appreciate anyone on this forum with a hybrid letting me know if they are experiencing this same 1-2 second vibration as it switch from gas to electric. - Thanks

[R2D2]

I guess I am only one ever to have this vibration/situation.

[drolds1]

I guess I am only one ever to have this vibration/situation.

Try the Ford Fusion Hybrid Forum.  Same driveline, lots more owners.

[R2D2]

Thanks Drolds.... Found one thread over there that may be close ... let's see where that goes.

[Chris109]

I get that also.  It's more of a rumble with a bit of vibration.  When it does happen, I look at the gauge in Engage view and see it happens at the point where the white MPG graph turns to blue. 

 

When it does start, I let off the gas so it will click over to EV.  Then slowly, I give it gas again.  Not sure if it happens every time at that changeover.  What is strange, however, is that it usually happens at almost the same point of my trip on whichever road I am going after leaving my humble abode: like 3-4 miles from home.  I may experiment and turn off the EV+ mode.

[R2D2]

Chris... At least I'm not crazy...

Since the service manager thought it was actually the gas engine shutting off rather than the electric motor starting causing the vibration it got me thinking back to the old days when gas engines sometimes had a run-on effect (dieseling) when shutting off the engine.

Since I always use regular gas normally I wondered if this was similar due to some fouling or fuel injector clogging. I threw in a bottle of Gumout fuel injector cleaner into the tank and did a fill with hi-test gas.... Well 150 miles later it seemed to do the trick... Symptoms have subsided but I'm going to give it a week to be sure.

Edited February 6, 2018 by R2D2

[klatoo]

Chris... At least I'm not crazy...

 

Since the service manager thought it was actually the gas engine shutting off rather than the electric motor starting causing the vibration it got me thinking back to the old days when gas engines sometimes had a run-on effect (dieseling) when shutting off the engine.

 

Since I always use regular gas normally I wondered if this was similar due to some fouling or fuel injector clogging. I threw in a bottle of Gumout fuel injector cleaner into the tank and did a fill with hi-test gas.... Well 150 miles later it seemed to do the trick... Symptoms have subsided but I'm going to give it a week to be sure.

 

R2D2...like you did with the Gumout, I run Royal Purple Max Clean every 5K in my Fusion Hybrid for the fuel injector cleaning and overall "system cleanse" thanks to E10.  Also, I only run Exxon/Mobil in my vehicles as well thanks to numerous credit card number thefts, so using their RF express tag gets helps to get around that.

 

I'll let you know when I take it to FMC what they say (fingers crossed!!).

[jm98]

I noticed on mine as well vibration when ICE kicks in to charge battery. I only notice when car is sitting in garage for day or two and battery might be low. 

[Ihatemycar]

Hi R2D2,

found your post after looking for a cure for this problem.  I have a 2014 MKZ hybrid that exhibits this problem.  I read that you tried injector cleaner.  I tried cleaner On a few hundred mile trip.   In a few miles into the full tank, the vibration seemed 90% cured.  I was thrilled but before I reached my destination, the vibration at switch over from gas to electric increased and on the next tank of gas, vibration returned.  I use Costco gas almost exclusively but had to stop at 76 once for gas and the vibration acted as if I used injector cleaner!  I then tried and now use Costco premium with the same results as the 76 gas.  By the way, my gas mileage is still what I expect, mostly freeway 34-38 mpg.

Lincoln service at a few different dealers had no idea what may cause the problem.  They blamed tires, wheels and anything but the engine.  I am surprised that these mechanics cannot figure out an apparently basic problem.   I am toying with the idea of replacing the injectors and plugs.  

[R2D2]

While I still can feel it from time to time, it is no way as bad now, I regularly use a fuel injector cleaner in my car about every three months to keep the system healthy.

Edited July 17, 2018 by R2D2

[jm98]

On 2/3/2018 at 4:52 AM, R2D2 said:

I guess I am only one ever to have this vibration/situation.

My 14 MKZh also has vibration once every blue moon  when shutting off.

[Ihatemycar]

R2D2,

I have just replaced my bald 19" michelins with  18" Yokohama's.  I changed the wheels only because  I was told that I had damage on one wheel. I also wanted a smoother ride with 18" wheels (the jury is out on that one).   I kept track of the wheel as rotations we we done and sure enough there was minimal damage to the wheel in question. From what I was told, I expected to see major obvious damage.  It was a 3" flat spot on the inside of the decorative side of the wheel.  

I expected to have the small continuous vibration fixed (which it did) but the vibration at engine shut-off to electric is almost undectable every time.  The delay between switchover to electric is now almost immediate, consistantly.  And, I am using regular gas again!

  I am beside myself as to why wheels would cause this problem especially since this wheel has been rotated to the front and back drivers side multiple times.  I now cannot wait to get behind the wheel and experience what my car felt like when it was new.

I don't hate my car anymore but I don't like Lincoln service not knowing their product.  There's lot more to the story than just vibration.

Strange fix to this problem but I hope it helps others.

[R2D2]

I don't see how a change to the wheels would affect this but not sure about the West coast where you are but here we experience changes to the gas mix during winter vs summer. I suspect that this may have a bigger play for the dieseling/vibration effect that I feel as the gas engine shuts down during changeover to the electric motor.

I definitely find that regular use of a fuel injector cleaner added to my gas helps the situation. Your mileage may vary.?

[Ihatemycar]

We also have summer and winter fuel blends. Seems to make no difference in the vibration, just the mpg.  I will report any changes.  It's still early with this tire/wheel change.  

[R2D2]

Followup to this topic.... the rumbling is gone

 

After having my issue with bad gas last month and the final result of that was to change out the ignition coils for cyl 1 & 2, the rumbling has stopped..... maybe it was a marginal ignition coil causing the issue??????

 

Bad Gas post here 

 

 

Edited October 28, 2019 by R2D2

[shattur]

On 2/1/2018 at 3:37 AM, R2D2 said:

Well they are at a loss what to do about this after looking at it for 5 hours.

 

They can feel it but unsure where it is coming from. The service manager explained to me that the electric motor does not have any clutching mechanism, it is on the same shaft as the gas so it is always there..... I am having a hard time grasping that concept but will accept it for now.

 

He thinks it actually may be the gas engine shutting down rather than the electric motor starting up. They inspected the motor mounts and nothing broken there but is theorizing it may still be a mount that has aged.

 

He is going to check with Lincoln for reports of the same issue and asked that I give him a few days to get an answer.

 

I would still appreciate anyone on this forum with a hybrid letting me know if they are experiencing this same 1-2 second vibration as it switch from gas to electric. - Thanks

I have a 2015 and this drove me nuts - I finally got a tech to ride with me and was told that it’s normal. Reading this thread it’s interesting that people say fuel type is effecting this. I’m gonna experiment with the fuel and see. I alternate back and forth from ethanol free and regular gas. 

Edited November 8, 2019 by shattur

[R2D2]

1 minute ago, shattur said:

I have a 2015 and this drove me nuts - I finally got a tech to ride with me and was told that it’s normal. Reading this thread it’s interesting that people say fuel type is effecting this. I’m gonna experiment with the fuel and see. I alternate back and forth from octane free and regular gas. 

 

I have no idea what "octane free" gas might be

 

.... also read my post in this thread of October 28 and the related linked thread, I feel it smoothed out after having the ignition coil changed in cylinders 1 & 2.

[shattur]

7 minutes ago, R2D2 said:

 

I have no idea what "octane free" gas might be

 

.... also read my post in this thread of October 28 and the related linked thread, I feel it smoothed out after having the ignition coil changed in cylinders 1 & 2.

Ethanol free - it’s just pure gas. A couple of cents more than premium but it has no additives. I saw that about the coil but @45k miles I shouldn’t have a coil problem. I work at a dealership so I’m gonna do an injection service and switch to strictly ethanol free fuel for a couple weeks and see if I notice a difference. 

Edited November 7, 2019 by shattur

[R2D2]

2 minutes ago, shattur said:

Ethanol free - it’s just pure gas. A couple of cents more than premium but it has no additives. I saw that about the coil but @45k miles I shouldn’t have a coil problem. I work at a dealership so I’m gonna do an injection service and switch to strictly ethanol free fuel for a couple weeks and see if I notice a difference. 

I started this thread almost two years ago and at that time had about 50k on the speedometer so I didn't think so either but the fact remains that it is gone after the coils were changed. Check out my post above from Feb 4, 2018..... about dieseling theory

[bbf2530]

8 hours ago, shattur said:

Ethanol free - it’s just pure gas. A couple of cents more than premium but it has no additives. I saw that about the coil but @45k miles I shouldn’t have a coil problem. I work at a dealership so I’m gonna do an injection service and switch to strictly ethanol free fuel for a couple weeks and see if I notice a difference. 

 

Hi shattur. Do you have an MKZ Hybrid? If yes, then you are safe performing an "injection service".

 

However, if your 2014 MKZ is equipped with an EcoBoost engine, do not use an injection service. It can/will damage the turbos. Ford specifically states not to use them. This has previously been covered in depth here. You can also find a lot of information online, including this video by a Ford tech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0irwbwpuEbQ

And the follow up video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK2eXdaydqI

 

If your engine is the non-EcoBoost (as a Hybrid would be), you are fine using an injection service. Although this is the Hybrid sub-forum, it is difficult to tell what engine everyone involved has, now that we are almost two years down the road from the initial post.

 

On a related note: I'm sure R2D2 knew what "ethanol free" fuel is. However, to avoid confusion, you might want to go back and edit your post where you stated you sometimes use "octane free" fuel. The term "octane free" can certainly cause confusion. ?

 

Also, "premium" fuel still has additives. It contains detergent and octane additives. Yes, sometimes, in some areas of the country, at some fuel brands/stations, premium fuel may not contain ethanol. But it still contains additives.

However, the only way to be sure is check the actual pump labeling to see whether the premium fuel at a particular brand/station contains ethanol or not. This can be very region and State specific.

 

Hope this information helps.

Edited November 7, 2019 by bbf2530

[R2D2]

2 hours ago, bbf2530 said:

 

Hi shattur. Do you have an MKZ Hybrid? If yes, then you are safe performing an "injection service".

 

However, if your 2014 MKZ is equipped with an EcoBoost engine, do not use an injection service. It can/will damage the turbos. Ford specifically states not to use them. This has previously been covered in depth here. You can also find a lot of information online, including this video by a Ford tech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0irwbwpuEbQ

And the follow up video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK2eXdaydqI

 

If your engine is the non-EcoBoost (as a Hybrid would be), you are fine using an injection service. Although this is the Hybrid sub-forum, it is difficult to tell what engine everyone involved has, now that we are almost two years down the road from the initial post.

 

On a related note: I'm sure R2D2 knew what "ethanol free" fuel is. However, to avoid confusion, you might want to go back and edit your post where you stated you sometimes use "octane free" fuel. The term "octane free" can certainly cause confusion. ?

 

Also, "premium" fuel still has additives. It contains detergent and octane additives. Yes, sometimes, in some areas of the country, at some fuel brands/stations, premium fuel may not contain ethanol. But it still contains additives.

However, the only way to be sure is check the actual pump labeling to see whether the premium fuel at a particular brand/station contains ethanol or not. This can be very region and State specific.

 

Hope this information helps.

All good info but as you said hybrids are not Ecoboost so therefore he should be good as I believe he said he had the shuttering when switching from gas to electric.

[bbf2530]

6 hours ago, R2D2 said:

All good info but as you said hybrids are not Ecoboost so therefore he should be good as I believe he said he had the shuttering when switching from gas to electric.

 

Hi R2D2. He does not say in his two posts that his car stutters when switching from gas to electric, he only quoted a previous post about that problem.  The fact he quoted a previous post about a hybrid did not make it clear what car he has. That is why I asked if he has a Hybrid and replied with the information, just in case. Better safe than sorry.

 

Hope this makes the reason for my reply clearer.

Edited November 8, 2019 by bbf2530

[R2D2]

6 hours ago, bbf2530 said:

 

Hi shattur. Do you have an MKZ Hybrid? If yes, then you are safe performing an "injection service".

 

However, if your 2014 MKZ is equipped with an EcoBoost engine, do not use an injection service. It can/will damage the turbos. Ford specifically states not to use them. This has previously been covered in depth here. You can also find a lot of information online, including this video by a Ford tech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0irwbwpuEbQ

And the follow up video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK2eXdaydqI

 

If your engine is the non-EcoBoost (as a Hybrid would be), you are fine using an injection service. Although this is the Hybrid sub-forum, it is difficult to tell what engine everyone involved has, now that we are almost two years down the road from the initial post.

 

On a related note: I'm sure R2D2 knew what "ethanol free" fuel is. However, to avoid confusion, you might want to go back and edit your post where you stated you sometimes use "octane free" fuel. The term "octane free" can certainly cause confusion. ?

 

Also, "premium" fuel still has additives. It contains detergent and octane additives. Yes, sometimes, in some areas of the country, at some fuel brands/stations, premium fuel may not contain ethanol. But it still contains additives.

However, the only way to be sure is check the actual pump labeling to see whether the premium fuel at a particular brand/station contains ethanol or not. This can be very region and State specific.

 

Hope this information helps

Got it, very though going back on the phone, worked it more from memory. Thanks for clarifying.

[shattur]

23 hours ago, bbf2530 said:

 

Hi shattur. Do you have an MKZ Hybrid? If yes, then you are safe performing an "injection service".

 

However, if your 2014 MKZ is equipped with an EcoBoost engine, do not use an injection service. It can/will damage the turbos. Ford specifically states not to use them. This has previously been covered in depth here. You can also find a lot of information online, including this video by a Ford tech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0irwbwpuEbQ

And the follow up video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK2eXdaydqI

 

If your engine is the non-EcoBoost (as a Hybrid would be), you are fine using an injection service. Although this is the Hybrid sub-forum, it is difficult to tell what engine everyone involved has, now that we are almost two years down the road from the initial post.

 

On a related note: I'm sure R2D2 knew what "ethanol free" fuel is. However, to avoid confusion, you might want to go back and edit your post where you stated you sometimes use "octane free" fuel. The term "octane free" can certainly cause confusion. ?

 

Also, "premium" fuel still has additives. It contains detergent and octane additives. Yes, sometimes, in some areas of the country, at some fuel brands/stations, premium fuel may not contain ethanol. But it still contains additives.

However, the only way to be sure is check the actual pump labeling to see whether the premium fuel at a particular brand/station contains ethanol or not. This can be very region and State specific.

 

Hope this information helps.

 

Hi I edited my post and changed it to ethanol and yes, I have a 2015 MKZ hybrid : )