96 Eddie Bauer 4x4 Engine Shake /Check Engine

[SafariX]

Lately when the cold weather here in CA started rolling around, when I start the car after it sitting for hours, the engine would shake the car a little bit, and after a while "settle in" to a normal idle. This morning the check engine light came on, most likely because of this. Any causes/fixes/advice anyone can offer. The vehicle has 78k, its a 96 Eddie Bauer 4x4. I really don't have the money to spend fixing this guy... Any and all advice is really appreciated.

 

[section525]

I'd check the plugs/wires. It could be missing. Are you plugs and wires 78k old?

Welcome, by the way!

 

[SafariX]

My rear right tail light is also disconnected after a repair of the backend (someone hit me). The repair shop forgot to hook it back up. Could that be involved?

What do you mean by check wires...I'm a car newb.

Thank you for welcoming me

 

[Billy177]

no it should not affect it check the spark plug wires and the spark plugs and buy some fuel injector cleaner and pour that into the gas tank

 

[SafariX]

Will that get rid of the check engine light if it is successful? Thank you for your timely replies everyone, this is very stressfull for me right now.

 

[Billy177]

take the car into autozone to see what the check engine light is telling you first it is free

 

[dman726749]

to get rid of the check engine light just pull the negative battery cable for 10-15 min to clear the computer

 

[Billy177]

ya but i would wanna know what triggered it first before getting rid of it

 

[SafariX]

AutoZone will give me a free diagnostic?

 

[Billy177]

they will read your troubble codes for free

 

[Billy177]

also how long does this shake last