What does it mean when your check engine light comes on and flashes?

A flashing check engine light indicates a much more serious issue. Most often it means that the engine is misfiring and unburned fuel is getting into the exhaust system. This raises the temperature of the catalytic converter and can cause critical damage.

Is it OK to drive with flashing check engine light?

The rule of thumb is that if the check engine light is flashing, you can’t keep driving the car. It’s an emergency. Often it indicates an engine misfire. If you keep driving, you will likely cause irreversible damage, mostly to the (expensive) catalytic converter.

What does it mean when my check engine light flashes 7 times?

Re: MIL / CEL / Engine light flashes 7 times? ( Nope, that just means that the car isn’t ready for emission testing. Nothing is wrong with your car. Just drive it next 10 or so miles with constant speed to “warm-up” the emission process.

How long can you drive with flashing check engine light?

How Long Can You Drive After Check Engine Light Comes On? The light is still on, why?? You will need to drive for about 50 to 100 miles after clearing the car’s computer. Your car’s computer will monitor all the sensors and register the results as you drive.

How long can you drive with a check engine light flashing?

If the light flashes for more than six seconds, the problem could be a major one, and you should stop to check the car. In most cases, you will notice a problem with the vehicle. However, if the light does not flash, you can keep driving if the vehicle is not having operational issues.

What does it mean when the check engine light flashes 3 times?

It means that a misfire has been detected that is great enough to possibly cause perminant damage to your vehicles catalytic converters a quite pricey component. Repairs should be done at once to avoid more expensive damage.

What could cause the MIL to flash?

The most serious type of signaling is when the MIL flashes all the time. It is a sign that your vehicle’s engine is misfiring. The issue is a major one and you should stop the engine immediately to prevent serious damage. For instance, it might cause the catalytic converter to overheat and even cause a fire.

What does it mean when the check engine light flashes 11 times?

It means that one or more of the emissions systems is not ready, also known as the I/M readiness test. All the systems will be tested as you drive the vehicle, and the light usually stops blinking after a few driving cycles.