Did you ever happen when you are driving along and then your Check Engine Light Blinking? Not like a little alarm-bell, it is your car crying out to you. A good number of drivers disregard this signal hoping that it will clear off but that move may cause severe damage to the engine in a few minutes.
This guide will help you learn to diagnose the causes of a blinking check engine light in just a few minutes, learn the underlying causes of this problem and make the appropriate corrective action before the issue becomes critical. Simple fixes, complicated mechanical problems, this article will have it all.
This is What a Blinking Check Engine Light Means
Intermittent check engine light is not the same as a continuous check light. A solid light is used to signify a non-urgent problem whereas a flashing light would signify a critical problem, which is normally an engine misfire.
Engine misfire can happen when a single or multiple engines will not ignite the mixture fuel-air adequately. This causes incomplete burning of the fuel that goes into the exhaust system that may overheat and destroy catalytic converter.
In present-day vehicles, onboard diagnostics are installed, which constantly monitors the work of the engine. The blinking light is activated when the system notices that there is a serious misfire and this is to warn the driver to take some immediate action.
Data in the automotive industry indicates that failure to follow a blinking check engine light can cost up to 40 percent to repair the secondary damages particularly to emission control parts.
Typical Reasons of a Blinking Check Engine Light
The first step towards correcting the issue in a short period is to understand what the problem is. This warning can be activated by a number of components.
Engine Misfire caused by broken Spark Plugs.
Spark plugs are vital in the ignition of the mixture of fuel and air. With time, they get worn out or even fouled resulting in partial combustion. This is one of the simplest and most widespread problems to solve.
Failure of spark plugs can make your engine run roughly, lose power or burn up more fuel. The replacement of them can be not sometimes sufficient to resolve the problem.
Ignition Coil Failure
High voltage is given by ignition coils to ignite the spark plugs. Failure to do this may lead to misfire of one cylinder. This issue is typical on current cars that use coils on plug systems.
The faulty ignition coil does not only impact performance, but also enhances emissions and therefore it is a very important problem to fix as soon as possible.
Fuel System Problems
Clogged and faulty fuel injectors may interfere with the correct supply of fuel to the engine. This imbalance brings about misfires and activation of the blinking light.
Injector issues can also be caused by poor quality of fuel. Cases of cleaning or replacement of injectors might be required.
Catalytic Converter Damage
A check engine light that is blinking frequently means that unburnt fuel is bypassing the catalytic converter. This may lead to its over heating and failure.
Replacement of catalytic converters is very expensive hence costing hundreds of thousands of dollars or even more. This damage can be prevented by acting fast.
Leaks in Vacuum or Air Intake
Problems with air intake or leaks in the vacuum system may interfere with the air-fuel ratio. Such imbalance may result in misfires of the engine and unfavorable performance.
A hose may develop a crack and that is enough to cause major problems. It is necessary to check on these elements.
Symptoms which accompany a blinking check engine light
A flashing check engine light does not frequently manifest up on its own. It is commonly followed by visible symptoms with the help of which you can identify the problem sooner.
You may experience engine vibration or shaking particularly during idle condition. It may experience slow acceleration and a car may not be able to accelerate. There are also instances where an exhaust may produce weird sounds like popping or sputtering.
The efficiency of fuel usage may be considerably low, and the gas emitted by the exhaust may have a strong gasoline odor because of insufficient combustion. Early identifications of these signs can make it easier to identify the problem.
The Fastest Way to Diagnose a Blinking Check Engine Light
Diagnosis should be done as soon as possible to avoid further damage. Fortunately, there are practical measures to follow even in absence of high level of mechanical knowledge.
Step One: Diagnose Minimal Problems
Begin by checking the simple ones like spark plug wires and connectors. Misfires can be due to loose connections or broken connections.
Check beneath the hood to see whether there is any visible wear, cracks or leaks. In some cases, the problem is not so complicated as it may seem.
Step Two: Use an OBD-II Scanner
OBD-II scanner is the most useful in diagnosing engine problems. It reads the trouble codes in your computer system in your car.
These codes give an insight into the particular problem in question e.g. the affected cylinder. This is able to save time and minimize guesswork.
Step Three: Trouble Code Identification
Codes associated with blinking check engine lights include misfire codes such as P0300 (random misfire) or P0301-P0308 (cylinder misfires).
Knowing these codes will assist you in reducing the cause and ascertain whether it is a spark plug, ignition coil or a fuel related problem.
Step Four: Check Ignition parts
Check and remove spark plugs, looking at them to determine whether there are deposits or worn out. Examine check ignition coils on damage or corrosion.
The problem may be solved easily with replacement of faulty parts that may restore engine performance.
Step Five: Fuel Delivery Evaluation
In case the ignition parts are working, then deliberate on fuel related problems. Checking fuel injectors and maintaining fuel pressure.
Injectors can be clogged and it may need professional cleaning or replacement.
Do You Drive with a Blinking Check Engine Light?
It is highly recommended not to drive under the blinking check engine light. There is a high risk of serious engine damage particularly when the issue is misfire.
Driving is also prone to overheating the catalytic converter causing expensive repairs. In severe instances, it may result in a permanent damage to the engine.
When the light begins to blinking, then it would be best to slow the speed and prevent extreme acceleration and as soon as possible to come to a safe place to stop.
Quick Fixes That Might Solve the Problem
In other situations, it may only take a short time to solve the problem without necessitating a lot of repairs.
Worn out spark plugs are easily solvable by replacing them. The issue can also be solved by tightening loose connections or installing damaged wires.
A fuel system cleaner and high quality fuel can help in case the problem is associated with the minor injector clogging.
Nevertheless, in case the problem continues, it is necessary to diagnose it with professional help in order to prevent additional harm.
Professional Help When to Seek Help
Some problems may be resolved at home, but some others need the services of experts. The blinking light may be carried beyond the initial problem-solving stage and it is time to engage a mechanic.
Diagnostic devices and skills have also developed in professional technicians to detect complicated issues. They have the capability to carry out tests which extend beyond the reading of codes making sure that they have the right diagnosis and cure.
Procrastination of professional support may cause more troubles and increase the cost of the repair.
How to avoid Future Check Engine Light Problems
It is always better to prevent rather than to cure. Routine servicing is very essential in ensuring the proper running of your car.
Most frequent problems can be avoided through a regular check of the spark plugs, ignition coils, and fuel injectors. Adhering to the maintenance schedule of your car means that parts are not worn out before they become defective.
The risk of engine troubles can be minimized by using good-quality fuel and not driving in a way that can cause other users to become aggressive.
Contemporary cars are made to be more durable, although it is necessary to ensure performance and reliability through proper maintenance.
The Price of a Blinking Check Engine Light
Failing to notice blinking check engine light may cost a lot of money. What begins as a small problem may turn to be major repairs.
As an example, a replacement of spark plugs can be comparably inexpensive, whereas a damaged catalytic converter can be much more expensive. Damage to the engine may also be costly and it may need an entire replacement.
According to statistics, the total maintenance costs can be decreased by up to 30 percent when they are fixed in time, which also proves the necessity to pay attention to the identification and resolution of problems.
Conclusion
One should not disregard a blinking check engine light. It gives a very good alert that something serious is going on with your car and you need to be aware of it.
Because of the causes, symptoms and a systematic diagnosis plan, you will be able to diagnose and work out the problem within a short period of time. It can be as easy as changing your spark plug or as as complicated as more costly work, but the sooner you start the better you save time, cash and stress.
Being proactive and performing regular maintenance and fixing problems as they occur will maintain your car at an efficient and safe level of operation, even years into its lifespan.
