The VSA (!) light is on, engine light flashing, and it feels like the motor or car is shaking.
The VSA (!) light is on, engine light flashing, and it feels like the motor or car is shaking. When I start the Jeep it takes a second for the engine light to come on and the VSA (!). If I try to pull off the engine light starts flashing. I'm so nervous to find out what's going on and scared to drive it. It's the weekend and a holiday Monday, so I have to wait to get it towed to a shop. I'm just curious if you can give me an idea of what can be wrong. Is my engine about to blow?
My car has 135000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello, thank you for writing in. The VSA (vehicle stability control) warning light is telling you there is an issue detected with the system. The vehicle should be driven as minimally as possible. The issue may be directly related to the VSA system, or it may be related to one of the input sensors. The easiest way to help determine the problem is to scan the vehicle for diagnostic codes. They will point you in the right direction. Your owner’s manual will also have more information about the system. For more diagnostic help, contact our service department.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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A Blinking VSA Light on the Console
The flashing light simply means that the system has activated and is helping the car to steer more safely. When the system is operating, you may notice a few changes in handling, including: – The accelerator may not increase engine power as much as you expect.
If the check engine light in your Honda Pilot starts flashing, that means that the problem needs prompt attention and your Honda should be transported in expeditiously. This blinking light usually indicates a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system.
VSA button in the Off Position
Also, drivers often turn the system off for a raw driving experience with minimal interference from the car itself. This makes the VSA light in your Honda or Acura automobiles light up. Turning the button back on can easily solve the issue.
When that warning light triangle with an exclamation point pops up, there`s a simple explanation. It means that there is something wrong with your Honda vehicle`s Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) system. This system helps to stabilize the vehicle during cornering if the car turns more or less than desired.
There is a “connection.” When you drained the battery, the PCM and possibly the electronically controlled VSA components themselves “saw” an out of range low voltage, even if momentarily. Such will cause a trouble code to set and illuminate the warning light. It is a known issue.
This is a serious problem and should be addressed immediately. The most common causes are an engine misfire, stuck open fuel injector, spark plugs, or a failing oxygen sensor.
A steady glow typically means something less serious but a flashing check engine light indicates that your vehicle`s engine is in serious trouble and service is needed immediately. If your check engine light is flashing in your Honda Pilot, we highly recommend not to drive the vehicle and schedule Honda service today.
Typically, the check engine light turning on (and is blinking/flashing), it indicates that your vehicle engine is misfiring. And this would explain why you`re getting sputtering as an additional symptom. Probably the most common reason for engine to sputter is lack of fuel.
If you see that warning light triangle with an exclamation mark appear there`s a simple explanation. This icon stands for your Honda vehicle`s Vehicle Stability Assist system and will illuminate your dashboard when an issue with the system is detected.
If the low tire pressure indicator comes on, or the multi-information display shows a “CHECK TPMS SYSTEM“ message, the VSA system automatically turns on even when the VSA system is turned off by pressing the VSA OFF switch (see page ).
To completely disable VSA®, the VSA® must be in +R mode. Press and hold the VSA® OFF button until you hear a single beep, then later two more beeps. u This message appears on the driver information interface. To resume VSA® full function, press the VSA® OFF button until a single beep is heard.
Click the Start Menu icon and select PC Settings. Select Update & Security and then click the Troubleshoot option on the left. Click the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter on the right-hand side. Finally, press the Run the troubleshooter button and follow the on-screen instructions.
It may be that the engine is being starved for fuel, air or it does not have enough spark to run as smoothly as it should. Some of the symptoms of an engine problem: Shudder upon acceleration. Shaking when you reach a specific speed.
Any unusual shaking or vibrating forces coming from the engine is cause for concern. It could be something as simple as old spark plugs producing an uneven power delivery, it could be something serious like worn or broken engine mounts, or it could be even more serious in the case of internal engine damage.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
The VSA (!) light is on, engine light flashing, and it feels like the motor or car is shaking.
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The VSA (vehicle stability control) warning light is telling you there is an issue detected with the system. The vehicle should be driven as minimally as possible. The issue may be directly related to the VSA system, or it may be related to one of the input sensors. The easiest way to help determine the problem is to scan the vehicle for diagnostic codes. They will point you in the right direction. Your owner’s manual will also have more information about the system. For more diagnostic help, contact our service department.
Was driving on the expressway and my car started shaking, check engine light turned on, oil light turned on and off
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. Shaking and vibrating typically comes from a misfire, or poor engine performance. A lack of oil will absolutely contribute to these symptoms and amplify them, if not cause them to begin with. You want to turn your attention to the cause of the oil leak. If external (you can see the leaking oil), then you will want to trace the leak to the component which has failed. If the leak is internal (or the engine is consuming oil), the leak will be harder to find. It will also explain the poor engine performance due to excess oil in the combustion chamber. A head gasket is one of the main components that will fail and cause these issues. It is however not common for a vehicle this age to have these kinds of problems. You will also want to scan the computer, and see what codes are triggering your check engine light. These diagnostic tools will help you determine what system(s) is to blame for the malfunction. For more diagnostic help, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.
2007 Honda Pilot Check Engine Light and VSA light on and idling at higher RPM, problem with acceleration
ANSWER : Hi there. The Vehicle Stability Assist light typically will trigger when the system has been disabled and it not the source of misfiring or acceleration issues in most cases. Since your check engine light is illuminated as well, it is highly probably that the root source of this issue will be discovered by having a professional mobile mechanic complete a check engine light inspection. This will permit them to download all stored error codes and correctly diagnose the root issues your Honda Pilot is experiencing and recommend the right repairs.
Check engine light refuses to go off after engine replaced
ANSWER : Hello there, you have a long series of issues going on with your 2013 Hyundai Sonata. If you keep getting a repeating oil light on than there is likely a fault in that system.
Since this fault has lasted after the engine was replaced it could be a oil pressure sensor, wiring harness fault, ECU fault, oil pump, oil strainer clogged, or low oil pressure.
To diagnose this issue properly you need a complete vehicle inspection to start from square one and identify the root cause of all this.
Car goes into limp mode when the check engine light and VSA light comes on
ANSWER : The lights that you have on and the vehicle going into fail safe mode is an indication you have a major system failure that will require computer to be tested for codes first. There are many possible codes it can be so the additional testing will be needed to isolate the cause of the problem.
It feels like my car is about to break down, like I am very carefully carrying the engine home so it doesn’t fall out.
ANSWER : Hi there. I would typically start by checking to see if the check engine light is on and then I would scan the computer for codes. This can give some insight as to what is going on. If there are no codes then I’d monitor the signal from the sensors to make sure that they are all working fine. If those are also fine then the issue sounds like it may be a catalytic converter or a transmission problem. This vehicle has a history of transmission failures that could cause this. Also, if the catalytic converter fails it will cause the same symptoms. I usually test the converter for any signs of failure and do a back pressure test of the exhaust before getting into the transmission. If you’d like assistance in diagnosing this issue, a certified YourMechanic technician can inspect these issues with your engine hesitating and help diagnose your vehicle.
Your issues with the air conditioning unit are likely unrelated to the issues with your engine, and you will likely need your AC unit inspected in order to diagnose that issue.
Why is my car violently shaking and my check engine light and HOLD light are flashing?
ANSWER : Hi There,
This can happen for many different reasons. The check engine light will come on when any of the following issues are detected by your vehicle’s computer. Shaking or vibration may be caused by things such as faulty spark plugs, poor fuel pressure or misfires. Other things such as a faulty idle air control valve may cause the engine idle to drop below the normal idling RPM which may also cause the motor to shake or vibrate more than normal. This creates a loss of power that resonates throughout the motor additionally causing other problems with ignition and fuel timing. Anytime a misfire is caused, this causes an imbalance in the motor which will cause the motor to shake or vibrate. The other issue that may cause this type of shaking or vibration is a broken engine mount. Engine mounts are generally rubber mounted braces that hold the engine in place to the chassis of the car. When these break or become weak or faulty, this may cause the engine to vibrate heavily. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
This can happen for many different reasons. The check engine light will come on when any of the following issues are detected by your vehicle’s computer. Shaking or vibration may be caused by things such as faulty spark plugs, poor fuel pressure or misfires. Other things such as a faulty idle air control valve may cause the engine idle to drop below the normal idling RPM which may also cause the motor to shake or vibrate more than normal. This creates a loss of power that resonates throughout the motor additionally causing other problems with ignition and fuel timing. Anytime a misfire is caused, this causes an imbalance in the motor which will cause the motor to shake or vibrate. The other issue that may cause this type of shaking or vibration is a broken engine mount. Engine mounts are generally rubber mounted braces that hold the engine in place to the chassis of the car. When these break or become weak or faulty, this may cause the engine to vibrate heavily. I would suggest having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
2012 equinox reduced power light engine light and traction light came on. Lost a lot of power got home and all light except engine
ANSWER : Your car has what is called a "safe mode" that will be engaged by the computer when it detects that something critical has gone wrong related to any of the major components in your engine chassis or power train. This may be related to a number of things, most of which should have been registered in the computer when the check engine light came on. I recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to inspect your check engine light and diagnose any codes registered by your vehicle’s computer.
