[Summit73]

Picked up a 2014 Summit Ecodiesel in July of 2014 and had zero complaints. It now has 5,000 km on it and I have begun to notice a vibration in the center armrest and steering wheel and what I would describe as a resonance or reverberation such that I can feel it in my ears. Most noticeable when in gear stopped at a light. If I put it in neutral it is much quieter and vibration is significantly reduced.Took it in and dealer says nothing out of the ordinary. Find that hard to believe. Anybody else have this issue? Is this normal for a diesel? Trying to figure out if it's just me or if I need to take it back.

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

Picked up a 2014 Summit Ecodiesel in July of 2014 and had zero complaints. It now has 5,000 km on it and I have begun to notice a vibration in the center armrest and steering wheel and what I would describe as a resonance or reverberation such that I can feel it in my ears. Most noticeable when in gear stopped at a light. If I put it in neutral it is much quieter and vibration is significantly reduced.Took it in and dealer says nothing out of the ordinary. Find that hard to believe. Anybody else have this issue? Is this normal for a diesel? Trying to figure out if it's just me or if I need to take it back.

IMHO...normal. You may notice it change over time and when it's colder. The engine has a little vibration just like a 4 cylinder has more vibration than a V6 while a v8 is the smoothest. You will feel the motor running. Its a different animal than a gas engine...not bad, just different. That's my experience with many diesels over the years. The VM3.0 is the most refined of all I've owned so far.

 

[Casper2]

I have not noticed any change with the weather....... But it has been a very long time since I drove anything with more than 6 cylinders. But I have driven 4 and never noticed any vibration with them. I also find that hard to believe....

 

[Summit73]

Thanks for the feedback. No problem with feeling the engine but I don't think the vibrations should be intense enough to feel like it puts your face to sleep. It pulses on and off while sitting at a light. Takes my ears a few hours to recover after driving it. Don't see how anybody could stand driving it. On the highway there is no vibration. Wondering if it's an engine idle timing issue or something. Dealer is out of 2014's and no 15's yet to do a comparison. Noticed Apple has a sound meter app. If anybody is interested is running a decibel comparison inside the cabin let me know.

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

I have not noticed any change with the weather....... But it has been a very long time since I drove anything with more than 6 cylinders. But I have driven 4 and never noticed any vibration with them. I also find that hard to believe....

Some 4 cylinders are smoother than others due to counterbalancing. Generally speaking, more cylinders equals smoother operation. Higher compression also increases low rpm vibration. My VM3.0 vibrates but it isn't loud or irritating.

Perhaps the OP has something contacting the firewall or loose which is making a loud noise.

 

[Casper2]

I thought DB was a noise or sound thing. Perhaps apple also has an app for vibration. I think almost everyone in California has an I-phone, seismograph apps sounds reasonable. I don't have anything MAC but I will check to see if my Droid has one.

Yes there is a free one...... my Droid is always in my cup holder anyway so I will check it out.

 

[Summit73]

I'll record it and post it and see what you think. DB is a noise thing. It's definitely the vibration that get's me. It's not what I would consider loud. Just a vibration that makes my head and ears tingle for hours after driving it. It is certainly irritating to the point where if it can't be fixed I'll have to go back to the Hemi. I'll gladly pay more in fuel costs to be comfortable. Ha

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

I'll record it and post it and see what you think. DB is a noise thing. It's definitely the vibration that get's me. It's not what I would consider loud. Just a vibration that makes my head and ears tingle for hours after driving it. It is certainly irritating to the point where if it can't be fixed I'll have to go back to the Hemi. I'll gladly pay more in fuel costs to be comfortable. Ha

I think you are either more sensitive to mechanical vibration or there is an unusually strong vibration. If you can find a new GC Diesel on a lot, I'd stop by and ask to sit in it while running to get a comparison. It's possible a motor mount is loose on yours.

You'd never make it riding in my big truck...Everything shakes in it!

 

[Casper2]

I have compared my Prius (With the motor running) my patrol car and my jeep using the downloaded vibration meter and they all register about the same. Also I have driven the JGC limited with the V8 previously and it didn't seem any different at the time.

My guess is that something is wrong with yours or you don't care much for the sound and feel of a diesel.

I think those of us who prefer that distinction are going to be blind to the problems experienced by those who don't. And almost all of those "satisfied" customers have left this forum making it a place where the dissatisfied go to sing the the choir.

Perhaps you could just have someone else drive it without first telling them what you are concerned with.... then afterwards ask them what they thought. Mixing the vibration question in with others like overall comfort, acceleration, shifting, noise ect.

 

[Summit73]

Only way I'll know for sure is by driving another one. It's going back to the dealer next week for a creaking sunroof so I'll have them at least check the engine mounts or anything else that might typically cause excess vibration.

 

[T3 jeeper]

Hello all. Just bought our first Jeep, a Diesel GC. We have a very similar vibration at idle(or anytime below 1k rpm) that will drive you nuts! It does not fluctuate, it is dead constant below 1k rpm, in or out of gear, A/C on or off. The door panel, seat, steering wheel, armrest, even the passenger seat vibrate. You can feel it in the floorboard. My metal watchband rattles if I have my hand on the wheel! It is as smooth as silk as soon as you get above the 1k rpm point. Service writer at purchasing dealer said "well, it's a diesel"! Well, I said, how come EVERY OTHER Eco diesel on your lot, Rams and GCs, do not have this vibration(shaking)? I have driven almost all of them. I'm talking to the Service Mgr Tues, and if he is not willing to find the problem, I will be going to another dealer. The vibration is bad enough that it is a deal breaker on me keeping the car. Which is a shame because we absolutely love everything about it!

 

[Casper2]

Mine idles at 1k...... or above. I think..... I'll pay more attention. Could it be as simple as your idle set to low?

 

[Summit73]

Hello all. Just bought our first Jeep, a Diesel GC. We have a very similar vibration at idle(or anytime below 1k rpm) that will drive you nuts! It does not fluctuate, it is dead constant below 1k rpm, in or out of gear, A/C on or off. The door panel, seat, steering wheel, armrest, even the passenger seat vibrate. You can feel it in the floorboard. My metal watchband rattles if I have my hand on the wheel! It is as smooth as silk as soon as you get above the 1k rpm point. Service writer at purchasing dealer said "well, it's a diesel"! Well, I said, how come EVERY OTHER Eco diesel on your lot, Rams and GCs, do not have this vibration(shaking)? I have driven almost all of them. I'm talking to the Service Mgr Tues, and if he is not willing to find the problem, I will be going to another dealer. The vibration is bad enough that it is a deal breaker on me keeping the car. Which is a shame because we absolutely love everything about it!

That is exactly what mine was doing. I can say however, it has calmed down a bit over the last few days. It now has 5,200 KM on it. I wonder if fuel quality has something to do with it and maybe bad diesel has now worked itself out of the system. Still vibrates but not to the point it makes my head numb. It's going back for service tomorrow so we'll see. Let me know how your discussion with the service manager goes.

 

[T3 jeeper]

Well the service tech found that the rear transmission mount has an excessive amount of play in it when compared to another GC 4x4. They are confident it is the source of the vibration. Won't know 100% until it is replaced, dissected, and examined. That's the good news. Bad news is we have to wait a week for the new mount to arrive from Detroit. Fingers are crossed!

 

[Summit73]

Well the service tech found that the rear transmission mount has an excessive amount of play in it when compared to another GC 4x4. They are confident it is the source of the vibration. Won't know 100% until it is replaced, dissected, and examined. That's the good news. Bad news is we have to wait a week for the new mount to arrive from Detroit. Fingers are crossed!

Thanks. I'll have them check that out. The intense vibration has returned...... When I put it into gear the other day there was a brief rattle so that might be my issue as well. Let me know if that solves the problem. I'm still waiting for my dealer to get another diesel in to compare them.

 

[Summit73]

Mine idles at 1k...... or above. I think..... I'll pay more attention. Could it be as simple as your idle set to low?

Mine idles below 1,000 I'd say around 800.

 

[Casper2]

I have been paying attention and mine also idles at about 800.

 

[ExcursionDiesel]

I have been paying attention and mine also idles at about 800.

The idle speed is set according to engine temperature. The colder it is, the higher it idles. At normal operation temperature it should be around 800 rpm.

 

[gman080185]

Well the service tech found that the rear transmission mount has an excessive amount of play in it when compared to another GC 4x4. They are confident it is the source of the vibration. Won't know 100% until it is replaced, dissected, and examined. That's the good news. Bad news is we have to wait a week for the new mount to arrive from Detroit. Fingers are crossed!

Did the transmission mount solve your vibration issue? I have a 2014 5.7L Summit, and have the same issue at idle! I've searched everywhere, had numerous dealerships look at it, and no one can give me any solutions! Please help!

 

[gman080185]

Thanks. I'll have them check that out. The intense vibration has returned...... When I put it into gear the other day there was a brief rattle so that might be my issue as well. Let me know if that solves the problem. I'm still waiting for my dealer to get another diesel in to compare them.

Did you ever find out what the issue is? I have a 2014 5.7L Summit, and have the same issue at idle! I've searched everywhere, had numerous dealerships look at it, and no one can give me any solutions!