What Causes the Engine Malfunction Light to Flicker Violently?
1 Answers
When the engine malfunction light is on accompanied by noticeable vehicle vibration, the primary cause is poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture. This incomplete combustion leads to carbon buildup in the engine - the most significant contributor to vehicle shaking. Simultaneously, when the oxygen sensor detects this poor combustion and reports it to the ECU, the system illuminates the warning light. This explains why engine warning lights and vibrations often occur together. Several components can cause poor air-fuel mixture combustion including faulty spark plugs, defective ignition coils, malfunctioning fuel pumps, or clogged fuel lines. When the engine warning light activates, follow these steps: First, observe whether the engine is operating normally. Check for symptoms like vibrations, black smoke emissions, or difficulty starting. If present, avoid restarting the engine. Important note: Never restart if the red warning light is illuminated. If the engine runs normally and the vehicle is drivable, proceed to a service station promptly. Technicians can easily retrieve trouble codes using a portable diagnostic tool to identify and address specific issues. For normally functioning engines, owners may attempt gently reseating all wiring harness connectors (as loose connections could be the culprit) or repeatedly turning the ignition to ON position to potentially reset the system.
