Hey has anyone had experience with their check engine light flashing. Tonight while driving, it started flashing on and off at constant intervals when I gave the car wide open throttle. I have never heard of this happening.. anyone?

Thanks,
Erik

 

It can happen often it's not a rare commodity. Usually means something you want to take a look at. Check the stickies to see how to get the code, then input the code and see what it is. Please check stickies.

 

misfiring has occured, your coil packs are bad very common in 99's.

 

A flashing CEL indicates that the ECU detected a sever misfire.

You have a 99 Maxima - unless the coils have been replaced in that car, it's time for 6 new coils. The 99's are prone to coil failure.

 

Yeah I was going to say when my CEL was flashing I also had a misfire, it was the coil pack I believe cylinder 2.

 

Yeah, I just did a little research on the web about the flashing CEL meaning a misfire. The car didn't leave the CEL on, it just flashed and then went off. If I go get the code read, will it tell me what cyllinder(or have more information), or will I be in the same place I am now? Also, a couple of days ago, I got an EGR valve over/underflow code.. Should I replace the EGR valve first, or go straight for the coilpacks? They seem to check out fine using a multimeter..

Thanks,
Erik

 

As I said, 99 coilpacks ALL fail eventually, so you'll be chasing your own tail if you try to replace one at a time. It's not what you want to hear, but I highly recommend replacing all 6 coils. It is something you can do yourself (quite easily) and the parts will run you about $350 for all 6 (or so). Call www.garrands-nissan.com - they have great discounted prices.

Don't worry about the EGR problem for now - fix the misfire.

Your EGR problem is not likely to be the valve. It is most likely clogged EGR passages.

 

flashing cel is multiple mis-fires, definately more than just one coil pack. Take njmodi's advice. Replace and be done with it.

 

Sounds like a good plan. I will call that place tomorrow and see about placing an order for coils. Could this problem be inter-related with the EGR valve code(one causing the other or vice-versa)? Wouldn't a multiple misfire be more indicative of something that would affect all cylinders(i.e. fuel or air)? Thanks a lot everyone for your help and advice.

 

No - the misfire is unrelated to the EGR code. The EGR hi/lo flow code (0302) is most likely due to clogged passages... we'll get to that - first fix your coil problem. Ask for Dave Petro - he's the parts guy - tell him you are from maxima.org.

 

Thanks alot.. you've been very helpful.. I'll call him first thing tomorrow.

-Erik

 

flashing CEL also means that the ecu is stuck in diagnostic mode. is the car running bad? if not it might just need to be reset and the light will go off. i know i have had the problem one or two times.

 

No, you're wrong. Other people have already posted the correct info. It specifically has to do with a misfire.

 

A flashing CEL can mean only one dead cylinder. I got a flashing CEL and my car sounded like a Scooby. Turned out it was ONE bad coil. Replaced it, and i've been fine ever since.

 

yea..i had cylinder #3 misfire. replaced the ignition coil and it ran better. so why is that the 99's are known for these problems again?

 

Apparently Hanshin didn't do something quite right in the batches of coils used in some/all of the 99 model year. The Hanshin coils in the 99 tend to fail prematurely - causing misfires, hesitation, stalling and just general driveability issues. Sometimes the CEL is never set - so you are left guessing. Hope that helps.

 

Will the coils from a 95-98 Maxima work in a 99 Maxima? If so, do .orgers ever get them from junk yards or is that just a waste of time and money?

 

I thought a flashing CEL was something that could potentialy damage the catalist, usualy associated with a cylinder misfire? I had this happen when just one of my hanshin coils went bad, replaced the troublesom coil and no problems since.

 

All coils from 95-99 are interchangeable. The 95/96 coils were rock solid - so getting a cheap used set may be worthwhile for those who don't want to spring for a new set. IMHO, if you plan on keeping the car and need to replace all six, it's just not worth the hassle of more intermittent failures down to road to mess with used coils. $350 is not bad for 6 new coils, that need to be replaced perhaps once in the lifetime of the car.

 

Yes - this is correct - a flashing CEL indicates a severe problem, that can cause damage to the emissions compoenents - as outlined in your owners manual.