Engine lite just started flashing on and off and the car is shaking while in the stopped position
The check engine light just started flashing on and off this evening and the car is shaking slightly when in the stopped or idle position while the engine is still running. I've had an oil change within the last month and I haven't had any problems with the car or the engine up until this point. I've had the car for 4 years but I haven't had a full tune up as well so I'm guessing that may be the problem. Replacing spark plugs but I don't want to speculate.
My car has 76000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
The flashing check engine light is letting you know that there is a problem that is urgent or the catalyst may be damaged. You most likely have a failed ignition coil or failed spark plug. In order to find out what engine cylinder is having a problem you would need to have the check engine diagnosed to get the codes that are set in the computer. You may have cylinder misfire codes or coil failure codes. Once the coil that has failed is identified then also it would be a good idea to replace all the spark plugs along with replacing the bad coil or coils. Then clear the codes and road test to make sure engine is running smooth again.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
If an ignition coil is not working properly, your engine will likely misfire. A misfiring engine results in a jerking or sputtering feel when you are moving at normal speeds. When you stop, a misfire from a bad ignition coil may cause your vehicle to run roughly, vibrate or shake.
Tire issues: The most frequent causes of a vehicle shaking while driving stem from tire issues. Tires begin to behave differently when worn or out of balance. Tire replacement, realignment, and rebalancing are common solutions.
That`s most likely signaling a misfire. The simplest explanation is that one of your spark plug wires isn`t quite properly seated on the plug. Pull each wire and re-seat it.
In some cases, a misfire will cause your engine to run rough enough that you feel a noticeable shake. The check engine light will pop on, and it may even begin to flash. Although many people think spark plugs are always to blame for a misfire, that`s not the case.
Improperly functioning spark plugs cause an uneven burn of fuel in the engine, resulting in fluctuating RPMs and a louder noise. You might also experience increased vibrations of your vehicle while sitting idle or while traveling at low speeds. These vibrations originate from the engine and can shake the entire car.
A flashing check engine light indicates a much more serious issue. Most often it means that the engine is misfiring and unburned fuel is getting into the exhaust system. This raises the temperature of the catalytic converter and can cause critical damage.
A malfunctioning ignition coil will cause your vehicle to misfire when you accelerate. In extreme cases, a misfire could cause your vehicle to shut down while you are driving. The misfire is a result of one of the cylinders fires incorrectly or not at all.
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Aveo has rough idle are a vacuum leak, an issue with the spark plugs, or a problem with the ignition coil.
A loose or disconnected air hose or vacuum hose can cause quite a bit of violent shaking and vibration in your car`s engine. To correct the problem, simply look for any loose or disconnected hoses and reattach them and replace them as needed.
A solid check engine light indicates a problem that needs to be addressed but is typically not urgent. A flashing check engine light indicates a severe problem that requires immediate attention to avoid further damage.
One of the main reasons why your vehicle could be vibrating at idle could be due to worn out spark plugs. When a vehicle`s spark plug is faulty, it can interfere with the air-fuel ratio leading to improperly firing cylinders, resulting in a misfire while idling. Replacing your spark plugs will solve this problem.
Worn out spark plugs are one of the most common causes of engine shaking. If your spark plugs are dirty or worn out they will be unable to fire properly and create the spark your engine needs to ignite the fuel. This causes your engine to misfire. Replacing your spark plugs is typically inexpensive.
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Spark shakes when braking are bad brake rotors, bad brake pads, or a bad wheel bearing. Search our network of RepairPal Certified shops near you to speak with a technician about your issue.
Common reasons for this to happen:
Tire replacement, realignment, and rebalancing are common solutions. Engine firing issues: When one or more of your spark plugs isn`t firing correctly, it can cause your car to vibrate. Typically, this problem will also cause your check engine light to illuminate.
Faulty spark plugs can also contribute to a phenomenon known as “rough idle” — which can also cause your vehicle to shake.
Flashing can acknowledge the presence or actions of other drivers. Flashing can be a signal that the flashing driver is yielding the right of way, for example at an intersection controlled by stop signs. Flashing can warn other drivers of road dangers, such as crashed cars or police speed traps.
A failed O2 sensor is the most common cause of a flashing check engine light. The O2 sensor is a critical part of the exhaust system, monitoring how much unburned oxygen is exiting the engine in the exhaust. The sensor sends messages back to the engine to adjust the mix of oxygen and fuel being used.
Engine Misfires
When your check engine light begins flashing, it is most often caused by a charging system misfire. The fuel, oxygen, and spark in your vehicle must operate in a specific order to power it properly. Unfortunately, if one of these three cylinders malfunctions, the entire system will suffer.
Misfires don`t simply go away – they need to be addressed immediately. Even if they don`t get worse, they certainly won`t get any better unless you take the car to a mechanic.
What kills ignition coils is location; being mounted in one of the hottest, most vibration prone and dirtiest parts of the engine. Modern ignition coils are typically located between two camshafts on the valve cover and exposed to dirt and oil.
Bad CV joints – Working together with the drive shaft, cv joints get the power from the engine to the wheels and tires and, if damaged, can be the source of the vehicle shaking in idle. Broken Engine Mounts – As the name suggests, these parts help mount the engine to the car.
The P2135 code indicates that the voltage readings produced from the throttle position sensors and or the accelerator position sensor are so distant from each other that they must be inaccurate.
GM`s attempt to correct the “Chevy Shake” was through addressing an issue with the transmission fluid. GM recommends “owners replace the original transmission fluid with a lighter viscosity to correct the repair of the transmission and correct the shaking”.
Understanding the Chevy Shake: A Defect That Causes the Steering Wheel and Other Parts to Shudder. At highway speeds, the “Chevy shake” is a disconcerting car defect that causes significant tremors in the vehicle`s steering wheel, suspension, and other parts (65-80 mph).
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Engine lite just started flashing on and off and the car is shaking while in the stopped position
ANSWER : The flashing check engine light is letting you know that there is a problem that is urgent or the catalyst may be damaged. You most likely have a failed ignition coil or failed spark plug. In order to find out what engine cylinder is having a problem you would need to have the check engine diagnosed to get the codes that are set in the computer. You may have cylinder misfire codes or coil failure codes. Once the coil that has failed is identified then also it would be a good idea to replace all the spark plugs along with replacing the bad coil or coils. Then clear the codes and road test to make sure engine is running smooth again.
My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
Hi, my engine light has started to flash and my car is shuddering and getting worse – especially when stationary. The engine light
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The symptoms you are having can come from a range of different issues with the vehicle. There may be a sensor that is failing, low fuel pressure, a spark and ignition issue, or an air intake system problem. With the check engine light coming on, the computer has detected an issue, and you will want to scan the vehicle for diagnostic codes. These codes will hopefully shed some light on the situation, and point you in the direction of the system which is malfunctioning. Without the codes, you will want to check into the throttle position sensor, air flow sensors, the idle air control valve, and others as you go through the diagnostic process. For more help with scanning the vehicle and further testing, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
Whenever I drive 1.5 miles, the s3 light starts blinking and then when I stop my car and come back to it, the car won’t start.
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. It is difficult to determine the issue without some more information. To start, when the check engine light illuminates, you want to scan the vehicle for diagnostic codes. These are what set the check engine light off, and are meant to tell the driver what the computer has detected is wrong. Codes can be pulled at most automotive parts stores, and by most technicians. Once you have that information you can focus in on one component or system. If the engine is truly overheating, then you want to start by checking your coolant and fluid levels. For more help with diagnosing and resolving the issue, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
Car starts, shakes then Dies out within seconds!
ANSWER : Hi there. The dreaded rotten egg smell is caused by either a clutch that is damaged or the catalytic converter that needs to be replaced. I would recommend before you take your car to any repair facility or attempt any repairs; first have a professional mechanic come to your location and complete a car starts then dies inspection. This will allow them to pinpoint the source of your issues and recommend the right repairs.
Was driving on the expressway and my car started shaking, check engine light turned on, oil light turned on and off
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Shaking and vibrating typically comes from a misfire, or poor engine performance. A lack of oil will absolutely contribute to these symptoms and amplify them, if not cause them to begin with. You want to turn your attention to the cause of the oil leak. If external (you can see the leaking oil), then you will want to trace the leak to the component which has failed. If the leak is internal (or the engine is consuming oil), the leak will be harder to find. It will also explain the poor engine performance due to excess oil in the combustion chamber. A head gasket is one of the main components that will fail and cause these issues. It is however not common for a vehicle this age to have these kinds of problems. You will also want to scan the computer, and see what codes are triggering your check engine light. These diagnostic tools will help you determine what system(s) is to blame for the malfunction. For more diagnostic help, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
car shakes when idle and accelerating
ANSWER : It is very possible that you have a valve cover gasket or spark plug tube seal leak on your vehicle. These type of leaks will allow oil to leak onto the spark plugs causing misfires. When the engine misfires due to oil getting on the spark plug, the engine oil will burn. Since oil and tires are both petroleum products, they will both smell similar when they are burning. I would recommend having an oil leak inspection performed by a qualified professional to determine if there is an oil leak. Consider YourMechanic as an Oil/Fluid leak inspection can be peformed at your home or office.
Reduced engine power and car shuts off
ANSWER : Hi there. If there is carbon build up on the valves in the engine then that can cause a rough running condition and even a check engine light but that will not usually cause the vehicle to stall. It sounds like you have another issue going on here. From my experience with this vehicle most of the time this is caused by a voltage issue. Most of the time it is a loose or dirty ground connection or an issue with the ignition switch. I usually start by scanning the computer for codes to see what is coming up as that can assist in finding the issue. If the codes do not help then the electrical system would need to be diagnosed to see where the power is being lost. If you need to have this looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the check engine light is on and why the vehicle is stalling] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-stalling-inspection
