Car Shakes and Check Engine Light Blinks

Introduction

If you’re driving and your car suddenly starts to shake and the check engine light blinks, it can be a very scary experience. You may be wondering what’s wrong with your car and if you’re safe to continue driving. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the possible causes of this problem and what you should do if it happens to you.

Possible Causes

There are many possible causes of a car shaking and the check engine light blinking. Some of the most common causes include:

* **Spark plug problems:** Spark plugs are responsible for igniting the air-fuel mixture in your engine. If a spark plug is faulty or worn out, it can cause your engine to misfire, which can lead to shaking and the check engine light blinking.
* **Ignition coil problems:** The ignition coil is responsible for providing power to the spark plugs. If the ignition coil is faulty, it can also cause engine misfires and the check engine light to blink.
* **Fuel injector problems:** Fuel injectors are responsible for delivering fuel to your engine. If a fuel injector is clogged or faulty, it can cause your engine to run lean or rich, which can also lead to shaking and the check engine light blinking.
* **Vacuum leaks:** A vacuum leak can cause your engine to run lean, which can lead to shaking and the check engine light blinking.
* **Exhaust system problems:** A problem with your exhaust system, such as a clogged catalytic converter, can also cause your engine to shake and the check engine light to blink.

What to Do

If your car starts to shake and the check engine light blinks, the first thing you should do is pull over to a safe location. Once you’re in a safe place, you can try to identify the problem by checking the following:

* **Check the spark plugs:** Remove the spark plugs and inspect them for any signs of wear or damage. If a spark plug is faulty, it will need to be replaced.
* **Check the ignition coil:** Check the ignition coil for any signs of damage. If the ignition coil is faulty, it will need to be replaced.
* **Check the fuel injectors:** Check the fuel injectors for any signs of clogging or damage. If a fuel injector is clogged or faulty, it will need to be replaced.
* **Check for vacuum leaks:** Inspect the vacuum hoses for any signs of cracks or leaks. If you find a vacuum leak, it will need to be repaired.
* **Check the exhaust system:** Inspect the exhaust system for any signs of damage. If you find a problem with the exhaust system, it will need to be repaired.

If you’re unable to identify the problem yourself, you should take your car to a mechanic for diagnosis and repair.

Conclusion

If your car starts to shake and the check engine light blinks, it’s important to pull over to a safe location and try to identify the problem. If you’re unable to identify the problem yourself, you should take your car to a mechanic for diagnosis and repair.