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Why does my car jerk when I’m stopped at a red light?
My car, which is relatively new, jerks whenever I am idling or sitting at a red light. The whole car lurches forward, almost like something is hitting it from behind. What would cause my car to jerk like that when stopped at a red light?
Patrick Price · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh no! That does sound frustrating! While annoying, it is not as uncommon as you might think. It is most likely caused by a faulty coil pack or a dirty throttle body. Either of these issues could be causing your car to jerk while stopped at lights.
The throttle body is an essential piece of equipment that controls the airflow throughout your engine. If it is damaged or even just dirty, it can behave erratically. If it is not functioning properly, it could be causing your car to jerk at odd times. If this is the case, cleaning your throttle body could resolve the issue.
The other (and far more likely) cause is that you have a faulty coil pack. Coil packs are found in newer cars where they are used in place of traditional distributors. If your coil pack is faulty, it could cause one or more of your car’s cylinders not to fire or fire when they shouldn’t. In some models, faulty coil packs have been known to cause precisely the issue you are describing.
Since your car is newer, you should check the warranty to see if it is still in place. Since this problem is likely caused by faulty parts, an active warranty should cover the cost to replace it.
While you’re looking after your car’s health, take a moment or two to review your
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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