Check Engine Light Flashing, Car Shaking When Accelerating

What It Means

When the check engine light flashes and your car shakes when accelerating, it means that there is a serious problem with your engine. The flashing light indicates that the engine is misfiring, which can cause a number of problems, including:

Loss of power
Reduced fuel economy
Increased emissions
Damage to the engine

Causes

There are a number of things that can cause the check engine light to flash and your car to shake when accelerating. Some of the most common causes include:

Spark plug problems
Ignition coil problems
Fuel injector problems
Air filter problems
Mass airflow sensor problems
Oxygen sensor problems

What to Do

If you see the check engine light flashing and your car is shaking when accelerating, it is important to take action as soon as possible. Ignoring the problem can lead to serious damage to your engine. Here are a few things you can do:

Check your spark plugs and ignition coils. These are two of the most common causes of engine misfires.
Check your fuel injectors. Dirty or clogged fuel injectors can cause the engine to run lean, which can lead to misfires.
Check your air filter. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow to the engine, which can also cause misfires.
Check your mass airflow sensor. The mass airflow sensor measures the amount of air flowing into the engine. If the sensor is dirty or malfunctioning, it can cause the engine to run rich or lean, which can lead to misfires.
Check your oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor measures the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gases. If the sensor is dirty or malfunctioning, it can cause the engine to run rich or lean, which can lead to misfires.

If you are not able to identify and fix the problem yourself, it is important to take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible. Driving with a misfiring engine can cause serious damage to the engine.

Additional Information

Here are some additional tips that may be helpful:

If your car is shaking when accelerating, it is important to avoid driving at high speeds. This can put additional stress on the engine and make the problem worse.
If you are able to identify the cause of the problem, you may be able to fix it yourself. However, it is important to consult with a mechanic if you are not sure what you are doing.
Ignoring the check engine light is never a good idea. If you see the light flashing, it is important to take action as soon as possible.