What Causes the Malfunction Light to Flash and the Car to Shake with Loss of Power?
3 Answers
Poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture, spark plug failure, and intake pressure sensor malfunction can cause the malfunction light to flash and the car to shake with loss of power. Poor Combustion of the Air-Fuel Mixture: When the air-fuel mixture in the engine combusts poorly, the vehicle may experience knocking and shaking if the mixture is too rich, or acceleration may become sluggish if the mixture is too lean. Spark Plug Failure: If the issue is not related to the air-fuel mixture, it could be due to problems with the spark plugs, high-voltage wires, or ignition coils. Poor performance of the ignition system or inadequate spark plug firing can also trigger the engine malfunction light, causing the car to shake and lose power. Intake Pressure Sensor Malfunction: Abnormal fuel supply pressure or a malfunctioning intake pressure sensor can lead to these symptoms. If the fuel pump's supply pressure is irregular or the intake pressure sensor provides incorrect readings or performs poorly, it can result in car shaking and loss of power. Solutions for Malfunction Light Flashing and Car Shaking with Loss of Power: For poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture, check the engine's performance or take the car to a repair shop for inspection. For spark plug failure, inspect the high-voltage wires and ignition coils or replace the spark plugs directly. For intake pressure sensor malfunction, adjust the fuel supply pressure and the sensor's readings.
I've driven quite a few cars and encountered situations where warning lights flash and the car shakes, which is somewhat similar to a heart missing a component. The most common issue is a faulty ignition coil, causing one cylinder to stop working, making the engine shake like a sieve. Fuel pump problems can also cause this - if gasoline isn't delivered properly, the car naturally loses power. Faulty sensors can interfere too, like when the crankshaft position sensor sends incorrect signals, leaving the ECU completely confused. Last time I fixed such an issue, I simply read the trouble codes and identified a spark plug breakdown within five minutes. If you experience steering wheel vibrations so strong they numb your hands during idle, immediately turn off the engine and pull over. Continuing to drive could potentially destroy the entire engine.
The flashing warning light plus vehicle shaking is most likely due to poor engine performance. I've handled many such cases - typical causes include clogged fuel injectors causing uneven air-fuel mixture, or insufficient high-pressure fuel pump pressure. Low cylinder compression is also common, often from improperly sealing valves. Modern vehicles have many electronic components; a faulty MAP sensor can also trigger this. During one maintenance check, I discovered aging ignition wiring with leakage current causing cylinder misfire. Try unplugging the oxygen sensor first to see if shaking reduces. Also don't overlook potential catalytic converter clogging - a completely blocked exhaust pipe literally makes the engine suffocate.
