Service Engine Light Blinking and Car Shaking: Causes and Troubleshooting
When your service engine light starts blinking and your car starts shaking, it can be a scary experience. It’s natural to wonder what’s wrong and how much it’s going to cost to fix. In this post, we’ll discuss the possible causes of a blinking service engine light and car shaking, and we’ll provide some troubleshooting tips.
Possible Causes of a Blinking Service Engine Light and Car Shaking
There are a number of possible causes of a blinking service engine light and car shaking. Some of the most common include:
- Misfiring engine
- Faulty ignition system
- Fuel injection problems
- Vacuum leaks
- Exhaust system problems
- Transmission problems
Misfiring engine
A misfiring engine is one in which one or more cylinders is not firing properly. This can cause the engine to shake and run rough. It can also lead to a decrease in power and fuel economy.
Faulty ignition system
The ignition system is responsible for providing the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the engine. If the ignition system is faulty, it can cause the engine to misfire and shake.
Fuel injection problems
The fuel injection system is responsible for delivering fuel to the engine. If the fuel injection system is not working properly, it can cause the engine to run lean or rich. This can lead to a decrease in power and fuel economy, and it can also cause the engine to shake.
Vacuum leaks
Vacuum leaks can occur in the intake manifold, hoses, or other parts of the engine. Vacuum leaks can cause the engine to run lean, which can lead to a decrease in power and fuel economy. It can also cause the engine to shake.
Exhaust system problems
Exhaust system problems can also cause the engine to shake. For example, a clogged catalytic converter can restrict the flow of exhaust gases, which can cause the engine to run poorly and shake.
Transmission problems
Transmission problems can also cause the car to shake. For example, a slipping transmission can cause the car to shake when accelerating or shifting gears.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your service engine light is blinking and your car is shaking, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem:
- Check the spark plugs and wires. If the spark plugs are worn or damaged, they can cause the engine to misfire. The spark plug wires can also become damaged or loose, which can also lead to misfiring.
- Check the fuel filter. A clogged fuel filter can restrict the flow of fuel to the engine, which can cause the engine to run lean or rich. This can lead to a decrease in power and fuel economy, and it can also cause the engine to shake.
- Check the air filter. A dirty air filter can restrict the flow of air to the engine, which can also cause the engine to run lean or rich. This can lead to a decrease in power and fuel economy, and it can also cause the engine to shake.
- Check the vacuum hoses. Vacuum leaks can occur in the intake manifold, hoses, or other parts of the engine. Vacuum leaks can cause the engine to run lean, which can lead to a decrease in power and fuel economy. It can also cause the engine to shake.
- Check the exhaust system. A clogged catalytic converter can restrict the flow of exhaust gases, which can cause the engine to run poorly and shake.
- Check the transmission fluid. Low transmission fluid can cause the transmission to slip, which can cause the car to shake when accelerating or shifting gears.
If you are unable to troubleshoot the problem yourself, you should take your car to a mechanic. The mechanic will be able to diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs.
Conclusion
A blinking service engine light and car shaking can be a scary experience, but it’s not always a sign of a major problem. By following the troubleshooting tips in this post, you can try to identify the cause of the problem and make the necessary repairs.
