Why Is My Check Engine Light Blinking?
Noticing that dreaded orange light illuminated on your dash is always a worrying sight, as it likely means there’s an issue in your vehicle preventing it from running as it should. Most drivers have encountered this warning light at some point, but what if the light is blinking rather than solidly lit?
In this article, we’ll go over what a flashing check engine light means, how it can occur, and what it may mean for the health of a vehicle.
What Does a Blinking Check Engine Light Mean?
While regular check engine lights could be warning you of any issue within your powertrain, a flashing light generally only means one thing: a misfire.
What Is a Misfire?
A misfire occurs when one or more of the cylinders is unable to properly ignite the air-fuel mixture. Misfires in even one cylinder can lead to a host of efficiency and performance issues, as well as causing damage to surrounding components if left unaddressed.
Common Causes of a Misfire
While misfires can occur for any reason that prevents proper combustion, there are some common sources of misfires that you should know.
Faulty Spark Plugs
The spark plugs in each cylinder are responsible for providing that spark needed for ignition, so you can probably imagine how a faulty spark plug may cause a misfire. Spark plugs can fail for a number of reasons, including simple old age or contamination from internal oil leaks.
Clogged/Faulty Fuel Injectors
Similar to spark plugs, the fuel injectors are precisely timed components used to inject fuel into the combustion chamber. Fuel injectors can fail for many of the same reasons too, such as becoming clogged as a result of contamination or wear and tear, which prevents them from providing the necessary volume of fuel for proper combustion.
Bad MAF Sensor
The mass airflow sensor, or MAF, is the sensor used to monitor the amount of air entering the engine through the intake. Using this information, the engine control unit (ECU) alters the air-fuel ratio to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
When this sensor becomes damaged, dirty, or fails for any other reason, it will prevent your vehicle from receiving a proper reading, and could cause the air-fuel ratio to be incorrect. When the air-fuel mix contains too much of either, it can cause a misfire as the cylinder is unable to ignite it.
Vacuum Leak
A vacuum leak occurs when air is able to enter the engine without being accounted for, or “metered”. Unmetered air entering is generally due to a cracked hose that allows air to enter the system after the MAF sensor, meaning the vehicle will be unable to account for this air in its air-fuel ratio. Similar to a faulty MAF sensor, this can lead to a host of issues in your powertrain, including a misfire and a flashing check engine icon.
Low Fuel Pressure
Another potential reason for a misfire is low fuel pressure, meaning the combustion chambers won’t be receiving an adequate flow of fuel to keep the engine running properly. Fuel pressure issues can occur due to blockages in fuel system components such as fuel lines or the fuel filter, or even due to failure of the fuel pump.
Powertrain Diagnostics, Service, & Repair in Carlsbad, California
If you’re experiencing a flashing check engine light, or suspect your engine has run into other issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to the engine service and repair experts at Carlsbad Auto Service. No matter the problem your powertrain is facing, our team has the equipment and training to provide you with the utmost quality of service. Give us a call or schedule online today to secure your appointment with Carlsbad’s premier powertrain repair facility!