Car jerks when idling/Check engine light flashes

[L.Lawliet]

As I was driving home today (1997 Toyota Corolla), whenever I idled at a traffic light, my car would suddenly start jerking gently. When I would actually be moving, the car wouldn't jerk but I noticed a slight loss of power. As I got closer and closer to home, I noticed the check engine light came on and every so often would flash for about 20-30 seconds, and every time I was idling at a traffic light, the jerking would start again, and I started noticing a sort of burning smell, like one might smell after a tire peels out (so, burning rubber kind of).

After I got home I popped the hood and noticed my coolant levels were starting to get low (but weren't at the "Low" line yet). My car's temperature is reading normal, leaning slightly towards cool, but I know some car issues can trick the temp gauge.Also, I know that the fluid levels wouldn't make the check engine light come on, I'm just trying to include as many details as possible.

[chronoti]

start by getting the check light checked, your car is a 97 so under your dash (not sure where there might be a coin box near your left leg that can be removed easily or under the steering column area)there should be a rhombus shaped connecter that at any autozone they will pull the codes for you. come back with those and we can help more

also post it in the corolla section would yeld better results not all of us in the camry area are familiar with the 7a engine

also look for a coolant leak there might be a leak look around the engine it might be coming from the temps sensor which maybe what is giving you the cel (should be near the t-stat i thinks)

[L.Lawliet]

I'm afraid to drive it. My coolant does look a bit lower today than it did yesterday though. I didn't even realize I was in the camry section!

[chronoti]

if you have another car you can loan the scan tool (you have to put a deposit down of the cost of the tool but you know know get it back ect ect)