I need help. My car shakes while idling, but when I depress the gas pedal, the vibration goes away. I think it might be a sensor, or my timing is off. I know routine maintenance, but I need help from someone smarter than a 21 yr old female!

 

How many miles on it? Sounds like you're probably due for a tune up. Plugs, wires, filters etc.

 

How many miles? do you see what RPM its idling at?

When is the last time you have had the fuel filter changed?

 

Along with fuel filter, the air filter, you can have someone check the timing of the timing chain which might be a little off.

 

could it be the engine mount bushings? at low revs, the movement of the engine will cause the car to shake (if in contact with the chassis) (and make a fair bit of noise I'd imagine), but as the revs rise, the resonance will dissapear.

Just an idea, I do not even know if the bushings fail. can't hurt to check

 

you're all wrong. check in the trunk next to the spare tire. there should be a metal box, but it wont be mounted to anythig. if you listen closely you an hear a chitter chitter noise. in that box is about 8 rabid squirrels trying to kill eachother. their brawling tansaltes to a rumble you feel only at idle. when the ccar is moving they are all pinned to the wall due to the movement. theres is only one solution:

poisoned nuts

 

same thing happened to my old 99.... check your engine fan. The blades on mine were broken. It would only shake the car at idle... when you were on the gas it was fine.

 

I agree with jgsmuzzy about checking the motor mounts. Yes they do go bad (stock is rubber) and that can certainly cause a whole lotta shaking. Motor mounts are a required inspection point for PA state inspection.