The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Car problem (check engine light flashing)
muninn
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So I have a Ford Contour '98, 93k miles, that I am planning on driving into the ground. I have had a transmission problem for the last 2 years, which makes the check engine light be on all the time. Now recently ther light began flashing for about 10 seconds once in a while. I do about 60 miles a day, and it flashes once a day, if at all, before coming back to constant on...
There is no indication that anything is going wrong when this happens, and the car behaves as usual.
I will be able to read the onboard codes sometime next week, but in the meantime I was wondering if anyone would know what might be happening, and how worried should I be.
Now I am not planning on putting any more money into this car, so I am gauging how much longer I have until I have to buy a new one...
There is no indication that anything is going wrong when this happens, and the car behaves as usual.
I will be able to read the onboard codes sometime next week, but in the meantime I was wondering if anyone would know what might be happening, and how worried should I be.
Now I am not planning on putting any more money into this car, so I am gauging how much longer I have until I have to buy a new one...
muninn on
0
Posts
Possibly just because you're reaching 100,000. Many vehicles try to alert you every 50,000.
It's also possible that when your check engine light is on but something else tries to switch it on that it blinks so that you know there's a second problem.
It's also possible, though probably least likely, that there's a problem with the connection for the check engine light so it could be flaking out as you drive.
If there is some sort of mileage reminder as Octoparrot suggested, it might be mentioned in the manual, and/or you might be able to check with a nearby Ford dealer or something.
Personally, I would drive it only if needed until you get the codes read, and then go from there. If it is an emissions/misfire problem, it could be damaging the catalytic converter, which tends to be rather expensive to replace. As someone mentioned while I was typing this, you can take the car to an Autozone and they will generally pull the codes for you for free.
Why it didnt concern me initially, is that the blinking light appears randomly and very rarely and for only short periods of time.
Now I have to figure out where the nearest Autozone is...
If you ever need to talk to someone, feel free to message me. Yes, that includes you.
Which is correct in the Contour as well. I had mine flashing due to a misfiring caused by one of the plugs before.
And misfiring is bad? How bad is it?
And oxygen sensor failure usually gives you a constant on light.
Its bad in that you want it to be fixed but if you can do the repairs yourself its normally fairly cheap.
Misfiring is bad, yes. Not "OMG teh car is going to explode!!!111!" bad, but something to get fixed nonetheless.
Misfiring can be fixed by just changing out the spark plugs and wires. Easiest way to check and see if something is misfiring causing the blinking light is to take a look at the plug wires. Since it doesn't do it constantly, see if one of them is melted, causing it to arc against the engine.
If that's not it, another flashing light is the catalytic converter protect. It'll flash the light saying "Hey you're burning up your catalytic converter."
Usually both of those errors will throw a code as well, so scanning it may point you in the right direction and autozone will do it for free.
Another option: Shut off the car, pull a plug wire, start car, see if light blinks. :P Causing a misfire yourself is an easy way to tell.
If it's flashing in a sequence then your car is telling you something. You said that you'll be able to check the codes in about a week, is there any reason you can't head to autozone or an advanced auto parts to have them pull the code? It's free.
Changing plugs and wires is not a garantee fix for misfire. It can also be a coilpack issue, dist. cap, even a compression problem
But in troubleshooting, always aim for the cheapest fix first. All of this is speculation until he pulls the codes from it anyways.
To be fair, troubleshooting is figuring out what the problem is before throwing parts at the problem. That is don't slap some wires in plugs in and think it will be fixed. You could remove and inspect the plugs. You could start the car at night in a dark place and check the wires(If they are bad you will see them arcing thru the sheaths) Meter the coils, etc.
And if you've read my other posts, I've repeatedly said to run the codes or look at things before you replace them. :P Enough said though, I'm hoping the OP comes back with some codes so we can see what it was.
Yeah, all the codes do, really, is refer you to the actual test for whatever is wrong. Like, you get 300. Well, no you have to open up the service manual for your car and see what diagnostic tests you have to perform for code 300. If a technician ever tells you that he pulled the code and it said he had to replace x, y, and z, run away as fast as you can.
mine just came on, i'm at 88k miles. it's probably that then.
and then sometimes on the freeway the overdrive off light will start to flash. i don't know what that's about, i'll see if the manual has anything to say.