What causes the engine warning light to flash and the car to shake?
3 Answers
Reasons for the engine warning light flashing and the car shaking: 1. Severe carbon buildup in the engine; 2. Abnormal fuel pump pressure, incorrect readings from the intake pressure sensor, or malfunctioning intake pressure sensor; 3. Excessive carbon deposits on spark plugs or excessive ignition gap; 4. Abnormal operation of high-voltage wires or ignition coils. An engine is a machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy, including internal combustion engines, external combustion engines, steam engines, jet engines, electric motors, etc. Engines can refer to both the power generation device and the entire machine including the power unit, such as gasoline engines, aircraft engines. Types of engines include internal combustion engines, external combustion engines, electric motors, etc.
When the engine warning light flashes and the car shakes, I have to say this is quite common, mostly caused by issues in the engine ignition system. For example, worn-out spark plugs or faulty ignition coils can lead to misfires, causing the engine to run unevenly—the light flashes like an SOS signal, and the car shakes like an earthquake. I’ve personally experienced this situation and found that fuel delivery problems can also trigger it, such as clogged fuel injectors failing to supply enough fuel. It’s best not to push through and drive; instead, head to a repair shop to scan the trouble codes with a diagnostic tool to pinpoint which cylinder is malfunctioning. Delaying repairs can cause more severe engine damage, and replacing parts can get expensive. Developing a routine maintenance habit, like replacing spark plugs every few tens of thousands of kilometers, can help avoid such headaches. Safe driving is the top priority—don’t ignore warning signs just to save time. An engine failure on the road is extremely dangerous!
I know a thing or two about this because just last week my car's warning light came on and it was shaking like crazy! After checking, it turned out to be rough engine ignition, most likely due to worn-out spark plugs or a short-circuited ignition coil. The car was shaking badly because the cylinders weren't working properly, just like suddenly feeling weak in the legs while running. Fuel system issues can also cause this, such as unstable fuel pump supply or clogged fuel injectors with thick carbon deposits. I rushed to the repair shop to read the fault codes, and the mechanic said I was lucky to catch it early before other parts got damaged. Now I pay more attention to the dashboard warnings while driving—if a light flashes, I stop and check immediately to avoid it turning into a nightmare of major engine repairs. Remember, engine health affects your wallet: fixing a small part might cost a few hundred bucks, but delaying until you need a new engine could set you back thousands!
