Hello all,
I just bought a 2004 Xterra two weeks ago. Has 72k miles and runs great(I love this suv). I've browsed through here for a few days and found it is time to introduce myself. I will include a pic of the X. I have a question, if anyone feels obliged to answer. My X vibrates a little when at a complete stop and in drive. It quits as soon as I let off the brake and accelerate. It is not bad, only noticable and it really only does it when the engine warms up. If anyone has any advice as to the remedy please let me know, I admit that I know little about the mechanics of the X.

There are some tech guys on here...maybe they will have an idea.

Welcome from KY!
What's your idle RPM when vibration happens? Sounds like it might be dipping below spec. Anyone else?

Welcome to CX!

If I may, at what RPM is you engine idling? And how bad is the vibration?

The engine does not rev up or down. Though this morning when I went to the grocery store I turned on the heater and the A/C compressor sounded like it came on. The light for the a/c was not on, so it should not have been on. The rpm's stay at about 800 or so when at idle. I think the engine is getting a drain from somewhere. It only happens when the engine is warm, when still cold it is not noticeable. I'm really not sure what is happening. Though i'm starting to think my a/c switch is bad and the compressor is cycling at all times. I thought about seeing if I could find the power wire for the compressor and disconnecting and see if it is from that. Though the a/c should not be causing a large drain on my engine either war. Still any help would be great. I will repost in the tech area in a bit.
Thanks to all who have taken the time to help.
Sincerely,
Daniel Perry

If it's vibrating at idle, and the idle speed seems to be pretty normal, it may be a bad motor mount. I seem to recall there's been some talk about motor mounts going bad on first gens.

welcome

Yes, my grandfather, who used to be a mechanic whom owned his own shop for about fourty years, told me. Though he doesn't know much about newer model cars.

In all cars for the past 10 yrs or so the AC compresor comes on if the outside air is like 38*f or above when you are in any mode with the front defroster on. That is to help defrost the window to eliminate fogging. If you put the mode to the floor or the dash vents the compressor won't come on. Some people have disabled this feature but i have not, and i see no reason too.

My X viberates a little at a stop in drive too. But i don't think it's the AC

Thanks kbell2433, I really appreciate the help. I was aware that the compressor would come on when the selector was set on defrost of any kind. The weird thing was that when I started the X this morning I turned the selector to floor/dash, and it sounded as if the compressor came on. I had already opened the hood before starting to listen to the compressor. It sounded like it was coming on and off each time that I turned the heat on and off, I did it like four times. Though after the third time the compressor made no sound, it was either still on or staying off, I don't remember. Now I do know that the compressor should not allow me to switch it on and off too quickly if there is a delay switch of some kind(like in resedential units). I have an a/c liscense for resedential.

If your first gen is doing it also then it may just be a symtom of the X, I will keep an eye on it and if it gets worse then I bringing it to the shop. I bought a warranty just for in case. My mother-in-law has 2nd gen, so I'll have to take a ride in hers and see if it does it also.

sorry for the lengthy message, I tend to ramble, I could talk about the X all day.

Thanks Again,
Daniel P.

Is it 4WD? If so, when you accelerate hard from a stop does the t-case shifter torque to one-side abruptly? It will have some movement but if it's a really pronounced jolt to one side that coincides with you pressing the gas then you've probably got a broken motor mount.