You were driving your car and all of a sudden, your check engine light starts blinking on your dashboard. This implies that your car engine suffers from a critical issue and it usually occurs as a result of misfires.
The thing about the check engine light is that it can go off for a lot of reasons. Whatever it is, it’s there to warn you that something is wrong, but except lighting up, it won’t give you much more information. However, if you ignore it, you could put your vehicle, or even yourself, in danger.
Also, just because it starts flashing doesn’t imply that the issue is always a threat of urgency. It could be something as simple as a loose gas cap, but whatever it is, it’s best to check it out in order to be sure it’s nothing serious.
Anytime the Check Engine light starts flashing, it means that a catalytic converter-damaging condition is happening. Usually you will be able to feel an obvious difference in the way your car runs. When this Check Engine light flashes, you should shut the vehicle off as soon as you can and have it moved to your trusted repair facility for a check and repair. If you continue to drive a vehicle in such condition, it will do more damage and will cost more to repair.
Causes of a Flashing Check Engine Light
- Misfires on either one or several cylinders
- Exhaust emission problems
- Faulty spark plugs/Coils and EGR valves
- Internal engine problem (rare)
- Faulty engine sensors (coolant, air temperature, etc.)
- Faulty/bad injectors
- Faulty crankshaft sensor
- Boost/overcharging problems
- Faulty engine control unit
DISCLAIMER AND RECOMMENDATION
These issues have to be looked at and repaired by an experienced ASE certified auto repair shop and not do the repairs yourself.
Nadia, the owner of Mobile Auto Diagnostics and Repair LLC has 18 years of hands on experience in repairing all kind of vehicles. She has 11 ASE certifications, one of which is an ASE Master Mechanic certification.
Nadia’s auto repair business is by invitation only and is not open to the public. Please contact Nadia by phone or e- mail found on this website.
Nadia accepts cash, checks and/or major credit cards.
