Why is the check engine light blinking on my Chevy Sonic?
If the check engine light on your Chevy Sonic is blinking, it indicates a serious problem with your vehicle's engine or emissions system. This is a warning sign that requires immediate attention to prevent further damage or potential safety issues.
What a Blinking Check Engine Light Means
A blinking or flashing check engine light is different from a solid check engine light. A solid light typically means there is a less urgent issue that should be addressed, while a blinking light signifies a more severe problem. When the check engine light is blinking, it means there is an issue that requires immediate diagnosis and repair.
Potential Causes of a Blinking Check Engine Light
There are several potential causes for a blinking check engine light in a Chevy Sonic:
- Misfiring engine: A misfiring engine can cause unburnt fuel to enter the exhaust system, which can damage the catalytic converter. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed right away.
- Loose or damaged spark plugs: Worn or loose spark plugs can cause the engine to misfire, leading to the check engine light blinking.
- Faulty ignition coil: A faulty ignition coil can also cause the engine to misfire, triggering the blinking check engine light.
- Fuel system issues: Problems with the fuel injectors, fuel pump, or fuel lines can cause the engine to run poorly, leading to a blinking check engine light.
- Emissions system problems: Issues with the catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, or other emissions-related components can also cause the check engine light to blink.
If you notice the check engine light blinking on your Chevy Sonic, it's important to have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage and ensure your safety on the road.
Can low oil cause engine light to flash?
Low Oil and Check Engine Light
However, low oil pressure, which can be caused by low oil levels, can be a reason for the check engine light to turn on. Low oil pressure can seriously interfere with your car's performance and disable your vehicle if not addressed immediately.
Can bad spark plugs cause flashing check engine light?
Worn/failed spark plugs, coil packs, or spark plug wires can trigger your check engine light to come on. 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.
Why is my car jerking and service engine light blinking?
Obstructed Catalytic Converter
This can result in jerking and stuttering, which can cause your car to become unresponsive during acceleration. Other than the possible jerking, you may also experience bad smells, an illuminated check engine light, or decreased fuel economy.
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.
What does a blinking check engine light mean on a Chevy?
engine misfire
A flashing light signifies that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of expeditiously may result in major and significant damage to the vehicle. This blinking light usually reveals a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system.
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.
What is the most common cause of flashing a check engine light?
A blinking check engine light will show up on your dashboard is almost always correlated with engine misfires. A misfire means that the engine is dumping uncombusted fuel into your car's exhaust system. Engine misfire is a serious issue because it can quickly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter.
Why is my check engine light flashing then stops the car shaking?
A blinking Check Engine light means there's something seriously wrong with the emissions system. The shaking suggests you're having a misfire, which is dumping unburnt fuel into the exhaust, while making the engine shake. This is usually caused by a bad spark plug, ignition coil, or wiring.
Why is the check engine light blinking on my 2015 Chevy Sonic?
A flashing light indicates that the problem is extremely serious and if not taken care of rapidly may result in major and significant damage to the vehicle. This blinking light normally indicates a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system.
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.
