What Does a Flashing Check Engine Light Mean? In this guide, we are going to find out what a flashing check engine light mean and what you should do when this happens.
Your vehicle has a sensor system that constantly communicates with the onboard computer and monitors various components and actions. The computer analyzes the signals from the sensors and uses actuators in the system to make any necessary changes. It will illuminate a light on the dash if something is wrong that it cannot fix.
The light may illuminate for a specific reason, such as a flat tire or low coolant, but the “check engine” light might illuminate for a variety of reasons. When this occurs, the computer stores a fault code in its memory, which may be read using an OBD II scanner.
Many shops will perform this scan for you, but you can also buy a scanner and do it yourself. It’s important to keep in mind that just because you have a code doesn’t mean you’ve figured out what’s wrong. A code can put you in the correct direction, but you’ll probably need to do some additional diagnostic and repair work.
Stationary Vs Flashing Check Engine Light
A stationary check engine light may illuminate for something little, such as a loose gas cap, but it’s more likely to illuminate for something more serious, and you won’t know what it’s for unless you have a scan. Make an appointment for a scan as soon as possible to see if you have a major problem.
A flashing check engine light is designed to get your attention and indicates that something urgent needs to be addressed. In fact, if your check engine light is flashing, you should reconsider your plans and head to the nearest technician right away. When the light flashes, your car makes no guarantees that it will get you to your destination, so you may need to be towed.
What Does a Flashing Check Engine Light Mean?
A misfire, indicating that at least one of your cylinders isn’t going through the combustion cycle properly, is commonly the cause of a flashing check engine light. This could indicate that there is a lot of unburned gasoline and excess heat in your system. If left unattended, this can cause catastrophic damage to expensive components such as the catalytic converter, in addition to being a firestarter recipe. While a blinking check engine light may appear to be a minor issue, if neglected, it can soon escalate into a major issue.
Committing to regular maintenance checkups is one of the best methods to avoid getting to that stage. Misfires can be avoided by inspecting spark plugs and wires, adjusting fuel filters, and making sure injectors aren’t clogged.
A flashing check engine light, like service lights and solid engine lights, has codes that may be accessed with a scanner. You can use a scanner to retrieve the codes for diagnostic purposes, but don’t leave the vehicle running for any longer than necessary, or you risk causing more significant harm. The safest course of action is to consult a mechanic as soon as possible. They should be able to identify and fix the problem so you can get back on the road.
Read also: Check VSC in Lexus: What Does It Mean?
What To Do When Check Engine Light Is Flashing
We’ve all been there: the check engine light flashes, and you wonder if you should be concerned. Yes, without a doubt. A flashing check engine light should not be disregarded, and addressing it swiftly may save you time and effort in the long run.
Does Tesla Have a Check Engine Light?
There are various lights on the Tesla dashboard, but “check engine” is not one of them. It does, however, feature a full computer screen that can display complex messages.
Can I drive with a flashing check light?
If the check engine light is flashing, the general rule is that you should not drive the car. There’s a situation that needs to be dealt with immediately. It usually means there’s a problem with the engine. If you continue to drive, you will almost certainly do irreversible damage, primarily to your (expensive) catalytic converter.
What causes the check engine light to flash?
The check engine light flashing implies a far more serious problem. The most common cause is misfiring, which results in unburned gasoline entering the exhaust system. This boosts the temperature of the catalytic converter, which might be dangerous.
Can engine misfire fix itself?
Engine misfires do not go away unless they are caused by something external to the engine; they always come back. Find the reason and solve it. That is dependent on the type of misfire. In most cases, an ignition misfire will not improve with time; once it occurs, it will continue to recur.
Can low oil cause misfire?
Engine misfire and low oil pressure are related because a fast drop in oil pressure can cause the engine to not operate properly and the RPMs to dip low in gear, resulting in an engine misfire.
Why is my check engine light flashing and car shaking?
When the check engine light comes on and the car shakes, you’re most likely dealing with an engine misfire. One of the many reasons why the check engine light may illuminate is an engine misfire, which nearly always results in an increase in hydrocarbon emissions (or start to flash).
Why is my check engine light flashing when am accelerating?
When your check engine light blinks or flashes, you should take your automobile to a repair. It could be as simple as changing the oil in the car, or it could be more complicated, such as the need for new spark plugs.
Can I drive 100 miles with check engine light on?
When the check engine light is stationary, you should be able to drive the car for hundreds of miles with no problems. Fuel efficiency and vehicle performance will suffer, but you should still be able to drive safely. Even though it isn’t an emergency, you should contact your mechanic as soon as possible.
What is a severe engine misfire?
When one or more cylinders in an engine fail to create power, there are a number of possible causes, ranging from a fouled spark plug to a clogged fuel injector or a defective oxygen sensor. Misfires can happen while an engine is cold or hot, and they can happen at any time.
How far can you drive with a misfire?
You have complete freedom to drive it as far as you like. Unless it’s a single-cylinder engine, it’ll still run. The power will be reduced by the number of cylinders that that cylinder represents as a fraction of the total number of cylinders. On a four-cylinder engine, it’s 25%, on a six-cylinder, it’s 17%, and on an eight-cylinder, it’s 12.5 percent.
What’s the common cause of misfire?
Worn-out spark plugs are the most prevalent cause of engine misfiring while accelerating. Excessive wear on spark plugs prevents them from properly igniting the gasoline in the piston cylinder. Foul spark plugs, a damaged distributor cap, or faulty spark plug wires can all contribute to this problem.
Can an oil change fix misfire?
No, an oil change won’t make a misfire go away. To correct a misfire, you must first determine which cylinder or cylinders are malfunctioning. Once you’ve figured out what’s wrong, you can either replace the spark plug or the ignition coil.
