What Causes the Flashing Warning Light, Shaking, and Weak Acceleration?
2 Answers
Poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the engine can lead to knocking, shaking, and other issues when the mixture is too rich in the cylinder. Conversely, if the mixture is too lean, the vehicle may experience weak acceleration. If the issue is not related to the air-fuel mixture, it could be due to faulty spark plugs, high-voltage wires, or ignition coils. Poor performance of the ignition system or weak sparking from the spark plugs can also trigger the engine warning light and cause shaking and power loss. Engine Maintenance Tips: 1. Do not blindly remove the engine thermostat: Removing the thermostat due to high engine temperature forces the coolant into a full circulation mode, preventing proper cooling regulation. This makes it difficult to maintain the engine at an optimal operating temperature, often leaving it running too cold. This can reduce engine power, accelerate wear, and increase fuel consumption. 2. Engine temperature should not be too low: Some believe that engine temperature should not be too high but overlook the dangers of it being too low. In reality, low engine temperatures can also be harmful. Always operate the engine within the normal temperature range specified in the vehicle's manual to ensure its longevity.
When I first encountered this issue, I thought it was a fuel quality problem. The combination of a flashing check engine light, car shaking, and the accelerator feeling like stepping on cotton is most likely due to an ignition system or fuel delivery issue. Last time my car had this, the mechanic found it was caused by aging spark plugs causing a misfire—shaking whenever I accelerated. It could also be clogged fuel injectors failing to deliver enough fuel, or a failing fuel pump causing unstable fuel pressure. A faulty oxygen sensor can also make the check engine light flash randomly, with the ECU misinterpreting data and leading to poor performance. My advice: if you experience flashing lights along with shaking, pull over immediately and call for assistance—forcing it to run could damage the engine.