2001 Buick LeSabre shaking. Help?

[debb]

Please help 🙁 my Buick LeSabre started shaking. The check engine light has been on for about two weeks. I know I should have taken it in but I haven't been able to get it checked yet. But today it started shaking a lot when I started it, and it was shaking when I was driving too, and the check engine light started blinking. I stopped driving it because of this. I'm going to bring it somewhere ASAP, probably Friday, but I would like to know what it seems like I am dealing with.. anybody ever experience this before? Thank you...

 

[IMSITINGINYOURCHAIR]

Misfire. Likely you need a tune up. but we would need more info to properly diagnose it.

Probable causes...

plug wire fault

spark plug fault

coil pack fault

icm failure (worst case but not impossible)

fuel pressure low (also bad but about the same price as an icm)

If you can get the obd II codes to us we can give a better diagnosis. but pretty much you will want to check those things in the order they are listed.

 

[debb]

I don't have a scanner to find out the obd II codes, that is the only way I can check it right? I am bringing it to the shop tomorrow... prob about a 5 minute drive away, do you think it will be a huge issue driving it for 5 minutes, or will it make matters worse?

Thank you so much for your quick & detailed reply. 🙂

 

[IMSITINGINYOURCHAIR]

that can depend on the degree of the misfire. if it's getting fuel and not burning it i would worry about an exhaust detonation (unburnt fuel explodes in the catalytic converter) I would have to see/hear it run to say if i would risk it.