What does it mean when the engine malfunction light flashes with poor acceleration and shaking?
2 Answers
Poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture in the engine can cause issues. When the mixture in the cylinder is too rich, the vehicle may experience knocking and shaking. Conversely, when the mixture is too lean, the vehicle may exhibit poor 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 spark plug firing can also trigger the engine malfunction light and result in shaking and insufficient power. Below are some engine maintenance precautions: 1. Do not blindly remove the engine thermostat: Removing the thermostat due to high engine temperature forces the coolant to circulate only in a large loop, preventing proper cooling intensity regulation. This makes it difficult to maintain the engine at an optimal operating temperature, often causing it to run at lower temperatures, which reduces power, accelerates wear, and increases 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 low temperatures. In reality, low engine temperatures can also be harmful. Always drive within the normal temperature range specified in the vehicle's manual to ensure the engine's longevity.
I've encountered this situation before where the engine warning light flashes, the car struggles to accelerate and shakes violently. This issue definitely shouldn't be ignored—it's likely indicating a serious problem somewhere in the engine. The most common causes are ignition system failures, such as spark plugs not firing properly or faulty ignition coils, resulting in cylinders misfiring and causing the car to shake during acceleration. It could also be fuel system issues like clogged fuel injectors or insufficient fuel pump pressure, leading to inadequate fuel supply and poor engine performance. Additionally, don't overlook potential sensor failures, such as a bad oxygen sensor causing the ECU to make incorrect adjustments. When facing these symptoms, I recommend not forcing the vehicle to drive—find a safe place to stop immediately and call for a tow truck to take it to a repair shop for diagnostic trouble code reading. From my years of repair experience, about 80% of such cases stem from these causes. Addressing it early can save a lot of trouble, as prolonged neglect might damage the catalytic converter, which would be much more expensive to repair.
