Why is my check engine light flashing? Many car owners do ask this question and they really want to know why the check engine light on the dashboard is always flashing. If this light is always flashing, it means your automobile has some faults which has to be fixed as soon as possible. In today’s article, we are going to consider the issues that make the check engine light to be flashing.
Why Is My Check Engine Light Flashing?
The check engine light might come on for a variety of reasons. This engine light is a crucial component of your vehicle’s on-board diagnostic system. When your car’s computer identifies a problem with the powertrain (engine, transmission, and related components) that potentially result in increased exhaust emissions, the warning light will illuminate.
A defective gas cap, for example, can cause the light to turn on by allowing fuel vapors to escape into the atmosphere. A misfire caused by an internal engine problem, which results in increased hydrocarbon emissions, might also turn on the light. To make matters even more difficult, the light might be triggered in different ways depending on the year, make, and model of the car.
In other words, without completing diagnostic work, there’s no way to know why your check engine light is on.
What we can tell you is that the check engine light illuminates when there are issues with the powertrain. The ABS light will illuminate instead of the check engine light if you have a problem with your antilock braking system, for example.
Of However, because multiple sections of a car are now so closely interconnected, a failure in one subsystem (for example, the antilock brakes) might sometimes trigger alarms in another subsystem (e.g., the powertrain). The check engine light, on the other hand, usually indicates a problem with the powertrain or related components.
The following are some of the reasons why the check engine light on your car is flashing:
Failed Oxygen Sensors
The amount of unburned oxygen in your vehicle’s exhaust system is measured by your oxygen sensor.
Oxygen sensors are also susceptible to failure after 80,000 miles in +800 degree exhaust temperatures. It’s crucial to remember that there are a variety of engine codes that indicate that something is wrong with the oxygen sensor, but this does not mean that the oxygen sensor is defective. It’s important to distinguish between determining that a sensor is actually faulty and determining that something else is going on.
Loose Or Damaged Gas Cap
Your gas cap is part of a larger, sealed system that recirculates and prevents gasoline vapors from leaking into the atmosphere. As a result, this system of lines and valves is continuously monitored, and the gas cap is one of the important sealing components. You’ll notice this light soon if you mistakenly leave your gas cap off. The “little” and “big” leaks in the gas tank recirculation (also known as EVAP emission control) system are frequently grouped together. It’s crucial to note that the problem isn’t always the gas cap; the leak could be caused by one of the plastic recirculation lines, fittings, or connectors, although the gas cap is usually to blame.
Bad Catalytic Converter
By converting toxic carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, your catalytic converter helps to protect the environment. If something goes wrong with the converter, a series of trouble codes based on “Catalyst efficiency” will emerge. It’s crucial to keep in mind that a catalytic converter will almost never fail on its own. In most cases, something causes it to malfunction or fail. As a result, just replacing the converter or the oxygen sensors around it will seldom solve the problem, and will almost always result in the failure of another converter. A burst head gasket, for example, can drive burnt coolant vapor into the exhaust, resulting in a catalyst engine code.
Mass Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor (MAF) determines how much fuel is required to run your engine properly by measuring the amount of air entering the engine. A light can be triggered if there are any leaks in the intake tract before or after the mass airflow sensor. Oil, grime, and water vapor are all sensitive to mass airflow sensors, and any contamination on them can cause a light to turn on. Cleaning the sensor using intake / mass airflow sensor cleaner will sometimes resolve the problem. In certain cases, the sensor merely needs to be changed. Make a thorough inspection of the intake ducting for leaks, rips, or tears/damage.
Misfires
Your spark plugs ignite the air/fuel combination in your vehicle’s combustion chamber, but if the timing of that spark, the fuel mixture, and the air/fuel compression aren’t exactly right, you’ll experience a misfire. A misfire can be caused by a variety of factors, including a single cylinder misfire or a “many cylinder misfire,” which means the misfire is random.
Engine problems
Engine troubles, of course, might cause the check engine light to illuminate. A control module uses a variety of sensors to keep track of the engine’s performance. When it senses a problem, the check engine light illuminates.
Transmission problems
The transmission of your car controls engine power and distributes it to the drive wheels. Because the two assemblies are so tightly linked, a transmission malfunction can result in increased tailpipe emissions. As a result, if the control module senses a transmission malfunction, the check engine light will illuminate.
Emissions Equipment Issues
There is a multitude of emissions equipment onboard modern vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation system, catalytic converter, and evaporative emissions system are just a few examples. Each puzzle piece is engineered to reduce exhaust emissions, conserving the environment and making the world a safer place.
We won’t go through each of these components and systems in detail because there are far too many to mention. However, believe us when we state that a problem with the emissions equipment might easily set up the check engine light.
Air/Fuel Delivery Problems
To work effectively, your car’s engine need the proper amount of air and fuel. The control module will most likely notice whether there is too much or too little of one or the other. After that, the device illuminates the check engine light.
Ignition System Problems
The ignition system contains the spark plugs, coil packs, and all other components required to ignite the air/fuel mixture inside the engine. The control module, as you might expect, keeps an eye on the ignition system’s performance. If it identifies an issue, it will illuminate the check engine light.
Can On Drive With Check Engine Light On?
Keep an eye on your car’s performance. Do you hear anything unusual? Is it still going nicely, or is it coming to a halt and surging?
Even though the check engine light is illuminated, if you don’t see anything unusual, it’s probably okay to continue driving to a safe spot. Proceed with caution, and get it assessed and treated as soon as possible to avoid more harm.
If anything isn’t quite right with your vehicle’s performance, or if other dashboard lights suddenly illuminate, it’s important to pull over as quickly as possible. Slow down and avoid accelerating or shifting gears quickly. Continue to drive slowly and steadily until you can safely pull over and turn off your vehicle.
How To Reset The Check Engine Light
Follow the steps below if you want to reset the check engine light:
Drive till it goes off
This is the simplest method. The sensors in your vehicle will usually recheck the issue that caused the CEL. Once your ECU detects that you’ve repaired the problem, the light will turn off. If the light remains on for more than three days, you may need to double-check your remedy or manually reset the light.
Turn of and on the car 3 times
When a vehicle is turned on and off three times in a succession, the fault codes are reset. Simply turn the car on for a second and then off for a second to do this. Check to see if the light has reset after two more repetitions.
Disconnect and reconnect the battery
Remove the hood, unhook the battery’s positive power wire, and wait 15 minutes. Then, to clear the data, place your key in the ignition and spin it three times to the on position. Finally, reconnect the positive connection and turn on the ignition. In approximately a minute, the light should be gone.
Use an OBD reader
Some code readers have the ability to decode the codes. Plug it in, pick any problem codes, and utilize the option to delete the code if you have one that is capable.
Can low oil cause check engine light flash?
Your check engine light may illuminate if your car is short on oil. Along with the check engine light on the dashboard, this is frequently exhibited in its own blazing light. Overheating: If your car’s engine temperature rises, the check engine light may illuminate once more.
How can I fix an engine misfire?
Remove the plug with a spark plug socket to get a good look at it. You’ll be able to figure out what caused the fire by looking at the damage. If the spark plug is simply worn out, it may be replaced. Make sure fresh spark plugs are replaced and gapped properly.