MIL flashing while driving?
MIL flashing while driving?
Last night I was driving on the hi-way when my light came on for the very first time. I thought, OK, just a sensor or something, check the forum tomorrow and no big deal. When I stopped at a light, I could feel the engine was running rough, almost like it lost a cylinder. Acceleration was poor and the roughness again could be felt. Additionally, whenever I loaded the engine at say, more than 1/3 throttle, the light would begin flashing until shortly after I let off.
When I got home, and listened to the engine, it was even clearer that something was wrong. I could hear it skipping and when I revved it slightly in nuetral, the exhaust was "fluttering".
This morning the car ran fine throughout my 15 min trip, but of course, the MIL is still on.
I will do the diagnostic check tonite as outlined in the Sticky posting(thanks, guys). I expect it will be a coil or something else that is cylinder dependent.
Does anyone know what the flashing light means? I assume it has something to do with the severity of malfunction, or poss multiple malf's?
Car is a 99 SE 5-spd with everything. No mods except K&N panel filter. 40K mi.
When I got home, and listened to the engine, it was even clearer that something was wrong. I could hear it skipping and when I revved it slightly in nuetral, the exhaust was "fluttering".
This morning the car ran fine throughout my 15 min trip, but of course, the MIL is still on.
I will do the diagnostic check tonite as outlined in the Sticky posting(thanks, guys). I expect it will be a coil or something else that is cylinder dependent.
Does anyone know what the flashing light means? I assume it has something to do with the severity of malfunction, or poss multiple malf's?
Car is a 99 SE 5-spd with everything. No mods except K&N panel filter. 40K mi.
Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 99
Re: MIL flashing while driving?
When you have a flashing mil, it indicates the car has a SEVERE misfire or fuel mixture problem. Take care of this problem as soon as possible.
Originally posted by cyclemax
Last night I was driving on the hi-way when my light came on for the very first time. I thought, OK, just a sensor or something, check the forum tomorrow and no big deal. When I stopped at a light, I could feel the engine was running rough, almost like it lost a cylinder. Acceleration was poor and the roughness again could be felt. Additionally, whenever I loaded the engine at say, more than 1/3 throttle, the light would begin flashing until shortly after I let off.
When I got home, and listened to the engine, it was even clearer that something was wrong. I could hear it skipping and when I revved it slightly in nuetral, the exhaust was "fluttering".
This morning the car ran fine throughout my 15 min trip, but of course, the MIL is still on.
I will do the diagnostic check tonite as outlined in the Sticky posting(thanks, guys). I expect it will be a coil or something else that is cylinder dependent.
Does anyone know what the flashing light means? I assume it has something to do with the severity of malfunction, or poss multiple malf's?
Car is a 99 SE 5-spd with everything. No mods except K&N panel filter. 40K mi.
Last night I was driving on the hi-way when my light came on for the very first time. I thought, OK, just a sensor or something, check the forum tomorrow and no big deal. When I stopped at a light, I could feel the engine was running rough, almost like it lost a cylinder. Acceleration was poor and the roughness again could be felt. Additionally, whenever I loaded the engine at say, more than 1/3 throttle, the light would begin flashing until shortly after I let off.
When I got home, and listened to the engine, it was even clearer that something was wrong. I could hear it skipping and when I revved it slightly in nuetral, the exhaust was "fluttering".
This morning the car ran fine throughout my 15 min trip, but of course, the MIL is still on.
I will do the diagnostic check tonite as outlined in the Sticky posting(thanks, guys). I expect it will be a coil or something else that is cylinder dependent.
Does anyone know what the flashing light means? I assume it has something to do with the severity of malfunction, or poss multiple malf's?
Car is a 99 SE 5-spd with everything. No mods except K&N panel filter. 40K mi.
Re: Re: MIL flashing while driving?
Originally posted by gabuchu
When you have a flashing mil, it indicates the car has a SEVERE misfire or fuel mixture problem. Take care of this problem as soon as possible.
When you have a flashing mil, it indicates the car has a SEVERE misfire or fuel mixture problem. Take care of this problem as soon as possible.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,601
Re: MIL flashing while driving?
Originally posted by cyclemax
Last night I was driving on the hi-way when my light came on for the very first time. I thought, OK, just a sensor or something, check the forum tomorrow and no big deal. When I stopped at a light, I could feel the engine was running rough, almost like it lost a cylinder. Acceleration was poor and the roughness again could be felt. Additionally, whenever I loaded the engine at say, more than 1/3 throttle, the light would begin flashing until shortly after I let off.
When I got home, and listened to the engine, it was even clearer that something was wrong. I could hear it skipping and when I revved it slightly in nuetral, the exhaust was "fluttering".
This morning the car ran fine throughout my 15 min trip, but of course, the MIL is still on.
I will do the diagnostic check tonite as outlined in the Sticky posting(thanks, guys). I expect it will be a coil or something else that is cylinder dependent.
Does anyone know what the flashing light means? I assume it has something to do with the severity of malfunction, or poss multiple malf's?
Car is a 99 SE 5-spd with everything. No mods except K&N panel filter. 40K mi.
Last night I was driving on the hi-way when my light came on for the very first time. I thought, OK, just a sensor or something, check the forum tomorrow and no big deal. When I stopped at a light, I could feel the engine was running rough, almost like it lost a cylinder. Acceleration was poor and the roughness again could be felt. Additionally, whenever I loaded the engine at say, more than 1/3 throttle, the light would begin flashing until shortly after I let off.
When I got home, and listened to the engine, it was even clearer that something was wrong. I could hear it skipping and when I revved it slightly in nuetral, the exhaust was "fluttering".
This morning the car ran fine throughout my 15 min trip, but of course, the MIL is still on.
I will do the diagnostic check tonite as outlined in the Sticky posting(thanks, guys). I expect it will be a coil or something else that is cylinder dependent.
Does anyone know what the flashing light means? I assume it has something to do with the severity of malfunction, or poss multiple malf's?
Car is a 99 SE 5-spd with everything. No mods except K&N panel filter. 40K mi.
Service Engine Soon - Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
If the MIL comes on steady or blinks while the engine is running, it may indicate a potential emission control problem.
The MIL may also come on steady or blink if the fuel filler cap has not been closed tightly or if the fuel tank is nearly empty. Check to make sure the fuel cap is secure and that you have at least 3 US gallons of fuel in the fuel tank.
It goes on to say that if the MIL is blinking you should drive gently and below 46 mph.
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