You do not want your car to display a check engine light. If this happens, it means there is something wrong with your engine.
However, the check engine light does not pinpoint the problem. Instead, it monitors various sensors to determine if there is a significant issue.
The check engine light will come on if any of these sensors detect problems.
So in this article, we’ll go over the primary issues to be on the lookout for if your check engine light is flashing.
We also talk about possible actions you can take to know how to fix the check engine light flashing and then stops.
What Causes the Flashing of Check Engine Lights?
With so many potential causes for the check engine light to illuminate, it’s easy to feel confused about what your car is trying to tell you.
Before finding ways to fix the problem, let’s first explore what causes a flashing check engine light in this section.
Engine Misfire
Every cylinder in your car needs to deliver the optimum power output to the engine for it to function properly.
A misfire happens when one or more cylinders stop giving the engine power due to failure. Your engine’s misfiring might be attributed to several factors.
These factors mainly include low compression, incorrect fuel mixtures, and ignition problems.
You’ll know that the engine misfires when you observe the following signs and symptoms:
- There is a loss of acceleration when the engine misfires.
- When you attempt to travel more quickly, the automobile may also begin to vibrate.
- The engine may feel like it vibrates more than usual while idle.
- You can feel your car temporarily losing power.
Damaged Ignition Coil & Spark Plugs
When these parts wear out or become clogged, they can cause an issue with how much power your spark plugs produce
They will also affect how well the spark plugs read them properly within your vehicle’s computer system.
When this happens, it can cause the check engine light to come on.
Ignoring this issue could result in your oxygen sensor malfunctioning, an obstructed catalytic converter, or broken ignition coils.
Maintaining the performance and fuel efficiency of your car also depends on having healthy spark plugs.
Damaged Catalytic Converter
The catalytic converter is located in your car’s exhaust pipe, and it converts harmful emissions into less harmful emissions.
If there is significant damage to this part of your car, you may experience an issue with the check engine light coming on.
When this happens, there are significant amounts of harmful emissions in your exhaust pipe, and your check engine light will come on as a result.
To identify the root of the issue, it’s critical to have your OBD2 scanner examine the car as soon as the check engine light illuminates.
Many times, a straightforward fix will take care of the issue and obviate the need for an expensive replacement.
Faulty Oxygen Sensors
A car’s oxygen sensor is an electronic component that gauges the amount of oxygen that is still present in the exhaust gas to assist the engine in determining the proper level of fuel injection.
This makes it easier to maintain operating effectiveness while closely adhering to emission standards.
The car frequently needs to use more fuel to compensate for the incorrect information provided by an oxygen sensor error, rendering combustion ineffective.
As a result, if the check engine light is flashing, the oxygen sensor has probably failed.
Loose Gas Cap
The purpose of the gas cap on an automobile is to provide a seal that stops fuel vapor from leaking into the atmosphere.
This seal is compromised, and fuel vapor can leak if the gas cap is loose or damaged. In some circumstances, this may also set off the check engine light.
The gas cap should therefore be routinely checked and tightened or replaced as needed.
You can keep your automobile operating smoothly and help stop fuel vapor from escaping by maintaining the gas cap.
Malfunctioning Mass Air Flow Sensor
You can have a damaged mass airflow sensor if the check engine light flashes momentarily before going out.
For the ECM to determine and change the proper quantity of fuel and ignition timing, a MAF sensor must measure the flow of intake air entering the engine.
Unfortunately, when used for an extended period, this sensor is also vulnerable to dust and grime, which causes the transmitted data to be inaccurate and has an impact on the overall system.
The check engine light indicator will illuminate to alert the driver if it determines that the intake air flow sensor is malfunctioning.
Clogged Air Filter
Air filters are designed to capture particles and dirt that enter your car’s air intake. The check engine light will come on if the air filter is clogged or dirty.
It is not uncommon for vehicles to come with a pre-installed air filter.
However, over time, the air filter will become dirty and clogged.
If you notice your check engine light coming on, it’s a good idea to have your car serviced by a professional mechanic to replace the air filter.
How to Fix Check Engine Light Flashing then Stops
You might feel confused about what to do next and unsure how expensive it will be to fix it.
Situations involving a flashing check engine light might be frightening, especially if you’ve never had this problem before.
While the check engine light does not always indicate a serious problem, it can mean a more serious issue that must be resolved immediately.
If you experience the check engine light flashing and then stopping on your car, don’t panic. The first thing you should do is diagnose the cause of the flashing check engine light.
Diagnose The Problem With An OBD2 Scanner
Fortunately, automotive engineering has progressed significantly over the years, so you no longer have to deal with antiquated interfaces, thanks in part to EPA emission regulations.
Modern automobiles use OBD2, a diagnostic technology that enables you to scan your ECU to determine when something is amiss.
Car owners now have an easier time figuring out what’s wrong with their vehicles thanks to OBD2.
You can follow this brief guide to diagnose your car’s problem using an OBD2 scanner:
- Track down the OBD2 port. It’s typically located beneath your car’s dashboard.
- Connect the tool’s end port to the vehicle. Make sure you have a solid, secure fit to allow communication between the tool and the car’s internal computer.
- Start your car. Since some car models save the codes in their memory, this step is unnecessary. However, you must take this step if your car lacks this feature.
- Input the power switch. If a Bluetooth-powered device is not immediately turned on, you must turn it on from the terminal where it is hooked.
- Start scanning your vehicle. Use a Bluetooth-enabled scanner-compatible app. It could also be necessary for you to register your car’s VIN if you’re using the gadget for the first time on your vehicle.
The device’s fault codes will be shown a little while after the scan. Take note of these codes if the scanner doesn’t give you a thorough explanation of what they stand for.
Get Help from Your Mechanic
If you have a check engine light flashing on your vehicle, but can’t find the problem, it’s time to get help from your mechanic.
There could be a problem with your car’s computer system that they can help identify and fix.
Your mechanic will also be able to tell you if any parts are worn out or damaged and should be replaced.
Can You Drive With Flashing Check Engine Light?
Major problems are less frequent, but it’s possible that your engine’s misfiring or overheating caused the flashing of your check engine light.
Misfires can be caused by mechanical, fuel, or spark-related issues. Misfires can, at the very least, affect your acceleration and mileage.
If this is a problem, you might pose a danger on a busy road or a hill.
Conclusion
The flashing check engine light is a red warning light indicating something is wrong with your car.
The light can appear in different scenarios, and the reasons will be different depending on what’s going on with your car.
A flashing check engine light typically means that there is a more significant issue with your car.
So if this happens while you’re driving, you better pull over your car and immediately call for help.
And as you reach the end of this article, we hope that you now have an idea about the topic “how to fix check engine light flashing then stop”.
