Ford Focus Engine Light flashing/juddering when accelerating

[ColdFusion]

Hi All,

Sorry that my first post here is asking for help.

I am having some issues with my 2007 Ford focus whilst driving home this afternoon.

Background: Car was bought last year at about 36k miles. Fresh MOT but looks like wasn;t services for awhile so I have been intending to get a full service done for awhile but I keep putting it off. Had some issues with the car starting, twice. Battery seemed to be dead, got a jump start and all worked fine. Got battery health checked and was all fine but a little low charge (I am just mentioning this as I don't know if it may be relevant to current issue)

Current issue: was driving home today and noticed that when I put my foot down on the accelerator even a bit hard the car feels like it is starting to shake a little and just isn't very powerful. I also noticed that the engine check light started to flash until I took my foot off the accelerator, after about 10 seconds at the lower speed, the light to stop flashing. I tried to go slowly home but had a few hills and a dual carriage way which caused the car to feel very shaky.

I got home and got the bonnet open, had a look over to see if something was obviously flapping about and turned the engine on again. Car wasn't too shaky even when revving it and the light was not turning on. I've spent a few hours googling this evening and seems it could be something to due with misfiring.

Should I avoid driving this at all costs or do people think this may be OK to go about 8 miles to work/the garage?
Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated and sorry for the long read.

Thank you.

[t400ble]

Petrol engine?

Flashing light is engine misfire

Will probably be coil pack

[njw1]

As above, your coil pack is breaking down under load. I wouldn't drive it too far either as you may damage the catalytic converter.

[E-bmw]

^^^ Wot 'e (they) said.

[ColdFusion]

Yes Petrol engine. Thank you for your advice.

Got in the car this morning and light remains off, car doesn't seem to be juddering when going back and forth in the drive.
Think I will try to limp it into the garage this morning and hope for the best, if it misfired badly I will probably pull over and get a tow.

Thanks again.

[GreenV8S]

A misfire that gets worse with load does point to a weak spark. If you're trying to drive round it, you may find that more revs in a lower gear helps you avoid the problem. Obviously the goal is to use as little torque as possible, so you'll be using granny starts and light throttle.

[Kewy]

Had this on an old Astra I used to have and turned out to be EGR valve. Replaced that and was good as gold.