Car Started Shaking and Check Engine Light Is On
What It Means
When your car starts shaking and the check engine light comes on, it means that there is a problem with your engine. The shaking is likely caused by the engine misfiring, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Faulty spark plugs
- Ignition coil problems
- Fuel injector issues
- Vacuum leaks
- Engine timing problems
The check engine light is designed to alert you to a problem with your car’s engine. When the light comes on, it means that the engine’s computer has detected a problem and has stored a trouble code in its memory. The trouble code will help a mechanic diagnose the problem.
What to Do
If your car starts shaking and the check engine light comes on, the first thing you should do is pull over to a safe location and turn off the engine. Restarting the engine may clear the problem, but if it doesn’t, you should have your car towed to a mechanic.
When you take your car to a mechanic, they will use a diagnostic tool to read the trouble code stored in the engine’s computer. The trouble code will help the mechanic identify the problem and recommend a course of action.
How to Prevent
There are a few things you can do to help prevent your car from shaking and the check engine light from coming on:
- Get regular tune-ups.
- Replace your spark plugs and ignition coils according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Keep your fuel system clean.
- Fix any vacuum leaks as soon as possible.
- Have your engine timing checked regularly.
Conclusion
If your car starts shaking and the check engine light comes on, it is important to pull over to a safe location and turn off the engine. Restarting the engine may clear the problem, but if it doesn’t, you should have your car towed to a mechanic. The mechanic will use a diagnostic tool to read the trouble code stored in the engine’s computer and recommend a course of action.
