Let’s explore the basic details about the check engine light and its blinking & flashing! A modern automobile makes use of many more pieces of technology than used to be the case in the past. Vehicles of the present day are equipped with multiple control modules as well as a wide range of electronic controls.
One of the most noticeable lights is probably the Check Engine Light, however, most people see it when it illuminates as a solid light. An engine check light that continuously brightens is considered normal in most cases. A blinking check engine light, however, is a sign that something is wrong.
However, when the check engine light flashes on your car, it is an indication that something is seriously wrong, and you should make sure that your car is taken to a repair shop as soon as possible. You need to know what to do when the Check Engine Light flashes.
What Does Your Car Check Engine Light Mean?
There is no doubt that many owners of vehicles dread the appearance of the check engine light on their dashboards. Onboard diagnostics, which is an electronic system that collects data from the vehicle, is capable of detecting when the vehicle’s emission system, ignition system, fuel system, or exhaust system has detected a malfunction.
You shouldn’t disregard it since it may be caused by something as little as a loose gas cap, something serious like a malfunctioning catalytic converter, or something in between. All vehicles and light trucks have onboard diagnostics that are designed to identify issues with the emissions control systems that are connected to the engines.
If your check engine light flashes or blinks instead of being still, there might be the possibility of some major issue that has to be fixed immediately. An illuminated check engine light is usually caused by a number of reasons and can be solved in a variety of ways. However, in some cases, an illuminated check engine light may indicate something much more serious.
Importance of Check Engine Light
Although many people are inclined to ignore a check engine light on their vehicle, the reality is that it is essential that you take care of the problem as soon as possible.
When the engine of your car is compromised, the engine will suffer serious damage, which can lead to more serious and potentially costly problems, including a blown catalytic converter. Driving with such an engine can cause serious damage to the different engine components.
Probable Risks of Ignoring the Check Engine Lights
- You run the risk of damaging your car’s oxygen sensors and other components of the emissions system if you ignore the Check Engine Light on your dashboard.
- The risks of disabling your check engine light might result in you spending thousands of dollars more than required to repair long-term damage to your car.
As much as the check engine light can be a sign of more serious problems, it is often what causes it to flash the most frequently that is the cause of an engine misfire.
Meaning of Flashing Car Engine Lights
There is a check engine light in your vehicle that is part of the onboard diagnostic system. There are many instances when the check engine light flashes or blinks on a vehicle, which usually means there is a significant problem that must be addressed at an auto repair shop as soon as possible.
The purpose of these lights, which can be activated by mechanical or electrical damage that has the potential to be significant, was primarily to protect the internal components and to increase their lifetimes. Despite the fact that it can be set off by the smallest of causes, it is important for you to pay attention to your check engine light because ignoring a flashing light, a new problem is more likely to develop in the future.
How to Identify Car Engine Light Issues?
A computer will turn on a yellow warning indicator when it discovers a problem with the electronic control system that it cannot correct and signifies the following:
- The car’s engine got some issues or it’s time for engine servicing.
- Even there might be an issue with the powertrain of the car which needs to be recovered.
It may be that the light looks nothing more than a picture of an engine, maybe with the word “check” written on the dashboard. In addition to indicating the problem’s root cause, the computer also stores a “trouble code” that tells what caused the issue.
This could be, for example, a broken sensor or a misfiring engine. It is possible to interpret the code with an electronic scan tool or a diagnostic computer, both of which are tools that are commonly used in auto repair shops.
Probable Causes of Car Engine Light Flashing & Blinking
A flashing check engine light might signal a serious problem if it is accompanied by other symptoms. You might have a flashing engine light for the following reasons:
1# Engine misfiring
When a cylinder of an engine is misfiring when it should be producing greater power, it affects the performance of the engine. There are a variety of issues that can cause a misfire, some of which might also result in the Check Engine Light blinking. A misfire might happen randomly or just when the engine reaches a specific temperature, which is problematic.
Symptoms of engine misfire:
- There is less acceleration when the engine misfires.
- When you try to move quicker, the automobile can also begin to tremble. For a while, it could feel like the car is losing power.
- The engine may seem to vibrate more than usual while the car is standing still.
2# Oxygen-sensor malfunction
The oxygen sensor’s malfunction will have an impact on both the fuel supply and combustion processes. The role of the oxygen sensor is to keep track of how much oxygen and unburned fuel are used up. The airflow is hampered when the oxygen sensors malfunction. Additionally, the fuel-to-air ratio of your automobile is determined by the oxygen sensor data, which is why your engine light might be blinking.
3# Malfunctioning of fuel pressure
To achieve optimal performance, the combustion chamber must have the correct ratio of fuel to air. Serious issues might arise if the engine is deprived of gasoline and the fuel pressure is too low.
Symptoms of fuel pressure malfunctioning:
- You can experience difficulty accelerating if the fuel pressure is low.
- With fuel-related issues, a whining sound is typical.
- Low fuel pressure might potentially cause the engine to misfire or stall.
Low fuel pressure can further wear down the engine and other key components when the fuel pressure is allowed to remain low.
Remedies of Car Engine Light Blinking & Flashing Problems
You can follow the following ways once you have been pulled over to get to the bottom of the issue as soon as possible:
1# Identify the codes
You must first examine the issue codes in order to resolve a flashing check engine light. The DTCs that are set on the computer may be read with your skilled code scanner. To find out what’s wrong, you may utilize a number of OBDII scanners, however, some read more codes than others.
There are alternative choices if you don’t have a scanner of your own. You can visit a business that sells vehicle components and gives free scanning services. Depending on the fault codes you discover, you should carry on with the troubleshooting.
2# Spark Plug testing
You should examine the spark plugs if the codes make you think that the ignition system is at fault. The plug may malfunction when carbon accumulates on it. The spark plug must be changed as the sole remedy.
3# Maintain the fuel Pressure
The fuel pressure can be checked by using a special gauge that has been designed for this purpose. It is best to read your service manual to find out where the location of your service manual should be and then check the location.
There may be a problem with one of the components, so you need to identify the problem and replace it.
4# Recover the malfunctioning sensors
Not all of your car’s engine sensors are accessible for physical inspection. However, the code scanner ought to make it easier for you to identify the potential offender. If you can identify the problematic sensor, you might be able to simply clean it and reinstall it.
