# Hyundai Elantra shaking and check engine light flashing **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** hyundai, catalytic-converters, elantra, check-engine-light\ **Created:** [April 5, 2018, 1:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hyundai-elantra-shaking-and-check-engine-light-flashing/115032 "2018-04-05T01:34:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jamie5524](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Jamie5524](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jamie5524)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2018, 1:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hyundai-elantra-shaking-and-check-engine-light-flashing/115032/1 "2018-04-05T01:34:39Z")
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? The car has 98,000 miles. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2018, 2:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hyundai-elantra-shaking-and-check-engine-light-flashing/115032/2 "2018-04-05T02:01:43Z")
Flashing Check Engine light = Pucker Factor Of Ten. Before I would drive the vehicle, I would start it up, let it idle, and watch if the cat starts turning red. If it does, shut the engine off, and call a tow truck. Tester ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2018, 2:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hyundai-elantra-shaking-and-check-engine-light-flashing/115032/3 "2018-04-05T02:14:59Z")
> [@Jamie5524](#): > > This all happened after I got my oil changed this morning - I don’t know if that could have something to do with it. Check your oil level just to make sure you are good there. ---
**Author:** ![Jamie5524](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Jamie5524](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jamie5524)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2018, 2:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hyundai-elantra-shaking-and-check-engine-light-flashing/115032/4 "2018-04-05T02:16:46Z")
Yes, that’s the first thing I checked when I got home. The oil looked fine. ---
**Author:** ![Jamie5524](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Jamie5524](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jamie5524)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hyundai-elantra-shaking-and-check-engine-light-flashing/115032/5 "2018-04-05T02:26:43Z")
Okay, I guess I’ll try that. Thank you. Hopefully everything works out ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2018, 2:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hyundai-elantra-shaking-and-check-engine-light-flashing/115032/6 "2018-04-05T02:32:15Z")
> [@Jamie5524](#): > > What does it mean that the check engine light went from flashing to solid? 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) ---
**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2018, 2:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hyundai-elantra-shaking-and-check-engine-light-flashing/115032/7 "2018-04-05T02:38:22Z")
Perhaps whoever did the oil change knocked a wire or vacuum hose loose.