Shaking and acceleration and while idle

LILYANNA MCARTHUR

MEMBER
2012 JEEP PATRIOT
2.0L
2WD
AUTOMATIC
78,000 MILES

My vehicle has always shook a little bit but this time it couldn’t handle going past 40 mph. Every time I accelerated the check engine light would switch on and off. I immediately parked my car and turned it off. A few minutes later I started it again and when I got to stop lights it was shaking to the point it felt like the car was going to breakdown right there. It’s Sunday so everything is closed but just want to get an idea of what might be going on.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

This sounds like a misfire. We clearly need to start with checking for codes and see what is there. If you have a parts store that is close to you that you can get it there quickly then you can try and stop in and see if they will pull the codes for you. They should be open today.

Without the codes this is what would make the most sense. However you are correct that you don't want to drive this too far with the light flashing. That means you are doing damage to the exhaust. However, you should be fine to make it to a local parts store and back if you would like to confirm this with the codes.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

As for a misfire, that could be something easy like the spark plugs or more complicated with the compression of the engine. However, first things first and that is starting with the codes.

Hope this helps. Let me know what you find. Thanks