What will cause a flashing check engine light?
A flashing check engine light is a serious warning sign that something is wrong with your vehicle's engine or emissions system. It indicates an issue that requires immediate attention to prevent further damage or potential safety hazards. The check engine light will typically flash when the engine is misfiring, which can lead to catalytic converter damage if left unaddressed.
Common Causes of a Flashing Check Engine Light
- Misfiring Spark Plugs: Worn or faulty spark plugs can cause the engine to misfire, leading to a flashing check engine light. This can also be caused by issues with the ignition coils or wiring.
- Faulty Oxygen Sensors: The oxygen sensors in your vehicle's exhaust system monitor the air-fuel mixture. If one of these sensors is malfunctioning, it can trigger the check engine light to flash.
- Catalytic Converter Problems: A failing catalytic converter can cause the engine to misfire, leading to the check engine light flashing. This is a serious issue that should be addressed immediately to prevent further damage.
- Fuel System Issues: Problems with the fuel injectors, fuel pump, or fuel lines can cause the engine to misfire, resulting in a flashing check engine light.
- Engine Timing Issues: If the engine's timing is off, it can cause misfiring and a flashing check engine light.
It's important to have a flashing check engine light diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your vehicle's engine or emissions system. Ignoring a flashing check engine light can lead to more expensive repairs down the line.
What to Do When the Check Engine Light is Flashing
- Reduce Engine Load: If the check engine light is flashing, try to reduce the engine load by avoiding heavy acceleration, towing, or hauling heavy loads.
- Get it Checked: Take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic or auto parts store to have the trouble codes read and the issue diagnosed.
- Don't Ignore It: Continuing to drive with a flashing check engine light can lead to more serious problems, such as catalytic converter damage or engine failure.
- Follow Repair Recommendations: Once the issue has been diagnosed, follow the mechanic's recommendations for repairs to address the underlying problem and turn off the flashing check engine light.
By addressing a flashing check engine light promptly, you can prevent further damage to your vehicle and avoid more costly repairs down the line.
How do you clear a flashing check engine light?
Locate the negative battery cable, which is usually located under the hood of your vehicle. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery terminal. Wait for at least 30 seconds before reconnecting the cable. Once you have reconnected the cable, the check engine light should be reset.
What is the most common cause of a flashing check engine light?
While the check engine light can definitely be indicative of serious problems, the most common cause of the flashing is usually an engine misfire.
Why is my check engine light flashing and car sputtering?
Usually, when the check engine light is flashing and the car is sputtering and shaking, that means you're dealing with an engine misfire serious enough to possibly damage the catalytic converter and in most cases the PCM/ECM will kill the injector to prevent that.
Why is my check engine light blinking then stops then turns off?
A flashing check engine light that periodically disappears indicates a potentially serious problem with your car. It may be something minor, but it's an issue that needs investigation fast. Often, this is a wiring problem, but it can also be triggered by a misfire problem or issues with your vehicle's emissions system.
Will low transmission fluid cause check engine light to flash?
A trouble code or dash light does not necessarily mean the transmission fluid is low, but a low transmission fluid level will cause the check engine light to illuminate on most modern vehicles. If the light comes on, get your vehicle into a repair facility as soon as you can to get a proper diagnosis.
Can I drive my car with the check engine light blinking?
If the engine light is flashing, it's best to stop driving as soon as it's safe to do so. Continuing to drive can cause further damage to the engine or other components, leading to more expensive repairs. In general, you should: Pull Over Safely: Find a safe place to stop as soon as possible.
Will a bad transmission cause a flashing check engine light?
Often (though not always) a faulty transmission will trigger an engine diagnostic code and trip the Check Engine Light to let you know. Same goes if your engine overheats because of a bad transmission. Problems with a solenoid, speed sensor, slippage, and more can cause the Check Engine Light to come on.
Will low oil cause engine light to flash?
Yes, low oil levels can cause the check engine light to come on in your vehicle. While the check engine light is often associated with issues related to the engine's performance or emissions, low engine oil can lead to insufficient lubrication, which can trigger various sensors and result in the light activating.
Can bad spark plugs cause a flashing check engine light?
In today's cars, if a spark plug fails and can no longer ignite the air-fuel mixture, then the most obvious event should be the check engine light coming on or even flashing. A flashing engine light could indicate potentially catastrophic misfires, which could damage the catalytic converter(s).
Why is my check engine light blinking and idling rough?
The most common cause is any defects in the ignition system. Another popular culprit is a faulty fuel system. These may involve swapping out pricier parts such as fuel injectors. The third possible explanation for engine misfires is an internal engine problem.
