What is what does it mean if check engine light is blinking?

A blinking check engine light is a more serious warning than a solid check engine light. It indicates a severe issue that could potentially damage your engine if not addressed promptly.

• Immediate Action Required: A blinking check engine light usually means there's a misfire occurring in one or more of your engine's cylinders.

• Misfire Explanation: A Misfire happens when the combustion process doesn't occur properly in a cylinder. This can be due to several reasons.

• Potential Causes:

  • Damaged Spark Plugs: Faulty spark plugs are a common cause of misfires.
  • Faulty Ignition Coils: These provide the necessary voltage for the spark plugs.
  • Failing Catalytic Converter: Raw fuel from a misfire can quickly damage the catalytic converter.
  • Fuel Injector Problems: Dirty or failing fuel injectors can prevent proper fuel delivery.
  • Vacuum Leaks: Vacuum leaks can alter the air-fuel mixture, leading to misfires.
  • Low Compression: Problems within the engine cylinder can lead to low compression and misfires.

• What to Do:

  • Reduce Speed: If the light starts blinking while you're driving, reduce your speed and drive as cautiously as possible.
  • Avoid Heavy Acceleration: Avoid any hard acceleration or high engine loads.
  • Get it Checked Immediately: Take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic as soon as possible. Driving with a blinking check engine light can cause serious and expensive damage.
  • Diagnostic Scan: A mechanic will use an OBD-II scanner to read the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) stored in the car's computer. These codes will help pinpoint the source of the problem.