The ever popular shaking and flashing check engine light - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

JustBill74 · 12-09-2013, 09:39 AM

I know this has been posted many times before but just wanted to add my name to the list of those having the problem.

I started my Camaro this morning, it immediately started to shake as if I was in an earthquake and also had the flashing check engine light. Turned it off, tried again, same result. I thankfully had the fiancée’s SUV to take to work.

This is not the first time this has happened. It happened previously in July of 2013 while driving along going about 50 MPH. I stopped and let the car rest for a few, it started up and no issue.

I will check it again of course when I get home from work and see what is what. But I guess it could be any number of issues. My car only has 26,000 on it. Worst case, call the dealership and have them pick it up and check it out as I am not going to drive it in that condition.

jd10013 · 12-09-2013, 09:42 AM

if the CEL is flashing, then you have a misfire. the reason it's shaking is because one of your cylinders isn't operating. could be a bad coilpack, loose wire, or damaged wire. it happened to me, but I also got the "service stabilitrak soon" message. my turned out to be vandalism, somebody cut the wires to the #1 coilpack.

JustBill74 · 12-09-2013, 09:52 AM

I had the service stabilitrak soon come on twice a while ago and then went away. Appreciate the feedback.

Neuf Cruz · 12-09-2013, 10:04 AM

I believe it is in Limp mode(protection mode).

ravensjeff · 12-09-2013, 10:58 AM

If you have not done any modifications to the car that would void the power train warranty, by all means get it to the dealer ASAP since it should still be covered under warranty.

The good thing about these issues are that they are stored in memory for the dealer to access. Talk to your service person, they should tow it in for you. There are many simple things that can cause misfires. But there also some serious ones. In any case, always check em out. You never know when they may come back.

JustBill74 · 12-09-2013, 11:02 AM

No mods done at all! I plan on doing just that.

Wizzer · 12-09-2013, 01:50 PM

Get a code scanner and scan it. My wifes honda called itself out and told me coil pack one was bad. I replaced it and the shaking went away. Was about 100 bucks for her car. No idea on the camaro. I have 36000 on mine and no issues yet. It is quite shocking when the packs go.

LSX Camaro · 12-09-2013, 04:38 PM

It sounds like a bad/loose connection on a plug wire. This will cause the engine to shake, check engine light to come on and the Stabili Trac light to come on. A flashing check engine light is more severe as it can damage the catalytic converters.

Chevrolet Customer Svc · 12-09-2013, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustBill74

I know this has been posted many times before but just wanted to add my name to the list of those having the problem.

I started my Camaro this morning, it immediately started to shake as if I was in an earthquake and also had the flashing check engine light. Turned it off, tried again, same result. I thankfully had the fiancée’s SUV to take to work.

This is not the first time this has happened. It happened previously in July of 2013 while driving along going about 50 MPH. I stopped and let the car rest for a few, it started up and no issue.

I will check it again of course when I get home from work and see what is what. But I guess it could be any number of issues. My car only has 26,000 on it. Worst case, call the dealership and have them pick it up and check it out as I am not going to drive it in that condition.

Sincere apologies to hear about the shaking and CEL on your Camaro. Any frustration this causes is certainly understandable and I understand you're seeking community opinions and responses here. We can communicate with the dealer (if needed) and help exhaust our options to resolve your concerns in this matter.

William R.
Chevrolet Customer Care

Mean Green Z28 · 12-09-2013, 05:50 PM

I have the same thing happen on mine and it does it when the engine's warm in warm weather. Since the weather got colder, it hasn't ... but did it the other day when we had a freak warm day. Engine light blinks while the car stumbles, falls flat on its face when taking off from a stop, and sometimes flashes "service traction control" on the dash. Its a 2010 so I've not taken it in cos I need to check if I still have the powertrain warranty in effect. I have just a catback so not sure if that void warranty either. What I have seen is that if I scan the fuel trims, they keep falling until the point it stumbles and then resets to 0 and then slowly starts falling again ... this goes on over and over ... so I'm guessing its running rich at idle or low rpms due to the catback?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

Sikoriko · 12-09-2013, 05:59 PM

Never heard of a flashing CEL, This is good to know, Thanks

shibbs · 12-09-2013, 10:20 PM

Has anyone ever had a FLICKERING CEL? Not flashing, I'm talking much faster flashing.

shibbs · 12-09-2013, 10:26 PM

What I'm talking about:

http://youtu.be/-j8WVUfOAqk

JustBill74 · 12-10-2013, 12:28 PM

I can tell you know, my car won't even turn over anymore. I am going to call Chevy Roadside and have them take it to my dealer with whom I have an appointment on Thursday (earliest time.)

12-09-2013, 10:04 AM	#4
Neuf Cruz Drives: 2011 LS Black on Black 6speed Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: South Beach Posts: 886	I believe it is in Limp mode(protection mode). __________________ Roto-Fab CAI-Ported Throttle Body-Black Ice Isolator-Flow Master Axle Back-RX-Catch Can-Hurst Short Throw Shifter-Trifecta Tune\Ghost Cam Phantom Billet Grill-Billet Fuel Door-Side Gills-Headlight Armor Black Out Kit-Zenik Rims-Lowering Springs-MGP Caliper Covers-Dome\Trunk\Footwell Lighting.

12-09-2013, 10:58 AM	#5
ravensjeff 100% Chevy & Harley Man Drives: 2010 2SS: Blown LSX 376-B15 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Eldersburg,MD Posts: 2,211 View My Garage	If you have not done any modifications to the car that would void the power train warranty, by all means get it to the dealer ASAP since it should still be covered under warranty. The good thing about these issues are that they are stored in memory for the dealer to access. Talk to your service person, they should tow it in for you. There are many simple things that can cause misfires. But there also some serious ones. In any case, always check em out. You never know when they may come back. __________________ LSX 376-B15, TVS2300 SC, Harland Sharp Rockers w/ Trunion Bearings, ATI Balancer/keyed, AR LT Headers/Borla Catback Exhaust, DSS 1400 HP Axles, DSS aluminum driveshaft, 3.70, Hotchkis Springs/Sway bars, Forgeline SO3P Aluminum Wheels (20x9.5 F/20x11 R)w/ Hidden Titanium Hardware, Nitto NT05 Tires (27540ZR20 F/31535ZR20 R), Billet LPE brake/gas pedals, Escort 9500ci Radar Detector Laser Jammer, Roto Fab CAI with Ice Silver box, Carbon fiber tube/MAF Housing Assy, LPE Aluminum coil covers, SS9 Sleeper Fiber Glass Hood (ACS), Carbotech 1521 ceramic brake pads, Elite catch can.

12-09-2013, 04:38 PM	#8
LSX Camaro Master ASE, GM, LSX Tech. Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,034	It sounds like a bad/loose connection on a plug wire. This will cause the engine to shake, check engine light to come on and the Stabili Trac light to come on. A flashing check engine light is more severe as it can damage the catalytic converters. __________________ 2010 2SSRS A6, Custom Pat G. Cam, WCCH Cylinder Heads, Kooks Headers/Exhaust, BTR Valvetrain, Fluidampr 25% UDP, All Engine ARP bolts, Flex-a-lite radiator/Trans cooler, Yank converter, PFADT Suspension, ADM Race Intake/Scoop, Torq tow hook, CFD auto shifter, Dynojet AFR gauge, Aeroforce scan gauge, Brake Performance rotors/pads Prothane bushings, ZL1 wheels, spoiler, Z/28 wickerbill, 1LE Aero/Suspension Package, Anderson Composites COPO Carbon Fiber Hood, LED lighting, Elite Catch Can, Improved Racing oil pan baffle, crank scraper, windage tray 480 RWHP 452 RWTQ + Nitrous Express 150 Shot

12-09-2013, 05:50 PM	#10
Mean Green Z28 Drives: 2010 2SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 941 View My Garage	I have the same thing happen on mine and it does it when the engine's warm in warm weather. Since the weather got colder, it hasn't ... but did it the other day when we had a freak warm day. Engine light blinks while the car stumbles, falls flat on its face when taking off from a stop, and sometimes flashes "service traction control" on the dash. Its a 2010 so I've not taken it in cos I need to check if I still have the powertrain warranty in effect. I have just a catback so not sure if that void warranty either. What I have seen is that if I scan the fuel trims, they keep falling until the point it stumbles and then resets to 0 and then slowly starts falling again ... this goes on over and over ... so I'm guessing its running rich at idle or low rpms due to the catback? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk __________________ 2010 2SS - CAI Intake, ADM Scoop, RotoFab Washer relo. LT Headers and off-road pipes, X-pipe, Muffler Deletes, ZL1 Spoiler, Technostalgia Tail-lights '98 T/A (Sold) - Forged 6.0ltr, MS3, P&P'd Heads/Valves, 90MM FAST/TB, Headers, 3" Y-pipe, 4" Mufflex Catback. Koni Adjustables w/GC coilovers (550/175), Strano Sway Bars '94 Z28 (Sold) ... LS1 swap (basically same setup as the T/A), TH350/3500 stall ... swapped it all into the T/A -- >> Some of my Projects My Fquick Page

12-09-2013, 09:39 AM	#1
JustBill74 Drives: 2010 Camaro LT RS Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ambler, PA Posts: 52	The ever popular shaking and flashing check engine light I know this has been posted many times before but just wanted to add my name to the list of those having the problem. I started my Camaro this morning, it immediately started to shake as if I was in an earthquake and also had the flashing check engine light. Turned it off, tried again, same result. I thankfully had the fiancée’s SUV to take to work. This is not the first time this has happened. It happened previously in July of 2013 while driving along going about 50 MPH. I stopped and let the car rest for a few, it started up and no issue. I will check it again of course when I get home from work and see what is what. But I guess it could be any number of issues. My car only has 26,000 on it. Worst case, call the dealership and have them pick it up and check it out as I am not going to drive it in that condition.

12-09-2013, 09:42 AM	#2
jd10013 Drives: 2012 camaro Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: central VA Posts: 3,196	if the CEL is flashing, then you have a misfire. the reason it's shaking is because one of your cylinders isn't operating. could be a bad coilpack, loose wire, or damaged wire. it happened to me, but I also got the "service stabilitrak soon" message. my turned out to be vandalism, somebody cut the wires to the #1 coilpack.

12-09-2013, 09:52 AM	#3
JustBill74 Drives: 2010 Camaro LT RS Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ambler, PA Posts: 52	I had the service stabilitrak soon come on twice a while ago and then went away. Appreciate the feedback.

12-09-2013, 11:02 AM	#6
JustBill74 Drives: 2010 Camaro LT RS Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ambler, PA Posts: 52	No mods done at all! I plan on doing just that.

12-09-2013, 01:50 PM	#7
Wizzer Drives: 2010 Cyber Grey Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ga Posts: 703	Get a code scanner and scan it. My wifes honda called itself out and told me coil pack one was bad. I replaced it and the shaking went away. Was about 100 bucks for her car. No idea on the camaro. I have 36000 on mine and no issues yet. It is quite shocking when the packs go.

12-09-2013, 05:59 PM	#11
Sikoriko Drives: 2011 V6 IOM Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,385 View My Garage	Never heard of a flashing CEL, This is good to know, Thanks

12-09-2013, 10:20 PM	#12
shibbs Captain Gingerbeard Drives: 2012 IOM RS/SS 6MT Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: West Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,489	Has anyone ever had a FLICKERING CEL? Not flashing, I'm talking much faster flashing.

12-09-2013, 10:26 PM	#13
shibbs Captain Gingerbeard Drives: 2012 IOM RS/SS 6MT Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: West Twin Cities, MN Posts: 2,489	What I'm talking about: http://youtu.be/-j8WVUfOAqk

12-10-2013, 12:28 PM	#14
JustBill74 Drives: 2010 Camaro LT RS Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ambler, PA Posts: 52	I can tell you know, my car won't even turn over anymore. I am going to call Chevy Roadside and have them take it to my dealer with whom I have an appointment on Thursday (earliest time.)