I have a 2006 Hyundai Elantra. I was driving it today, and while idled at a red light, the car began shaking and my check engine light started flashing. I know that means stop immediately, but it was a few minutes before I got to a place I could pull over. By that time, the light had gone from flashing to solid. Since I was only a mile from my house, I drove home. The check engine light is still on and solid, and the car still shakes - more so when I am idling. This all happened after I got my oil changed this morning - I don’t know if that could have something to do with it.
What does it mean that the check engine light went from flashing to solid? I’m worried I could have done damage to my catalytic converter, but I wasn’t driving it for very long while the CEL was flashing, and I pulled over as soon as I could. I want to get it to a mechanic that’s a few miles down the road, but I’m worried I can’t even go that far without causing irreversible damage.
If the CEL light is solid, can I drive it the few miles to the shop? Even though it was flashing earlier and the car still shakes?
When it flashes, it means there’s a problem that requires immediate attention, an emergency situation as the car may stop working and strand you. When it is solid, it means there’s a problem that must be dealt with soon, but not an immediate emergency. A flashing CEL usually means there’s a misfire condition, and a lot of them, not just an occasional misfire. Misfire means the engine computer has noticed the crankshaft isn’t accelerating as fast as it should be as a result of a cylinder being ignited. And misfires are consistent with the engine shaking, so that’s probably what is going on.
Misfires can be caused by
engine overheating
contaminated gas or other fuel system problems
problem with the air/fuel mixture
problem in ignition system
engine compression problem
inability to move exhaust gasses out the tailpipe (cat or exhaust system clogged)