A blinking check engine light is the one dashboard warning one should never ignore. While a steady check engine light may indicate a problem that needs attention soon, it usually is not an emergency, but a flashing or blinking check engine light signals an issue that requires immediate action. As a matter of fact, it is best to pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and to turn off the engine. If pulling over immediately is not possible, reduce speed and minimize any hard acceleration to lessen the engine load. Once safely stopped, have the car towed to a professional repair shop for diagnosis.
The most common cause of a blinking check engine light is an active engine misfire. A misfire occurs when one or more cylinders fail to burn the air-fuel mixture properly. Many conditions can cause a misfire, including worn or fouled spark plugs, failing ignition coils, faulty fuel injectors, fuel delivery problems, vacuum leaks – that’s why we recommend taking your vehicle to an auto repair shop that employs nationally ASE certified technicians who can professionally diagnose the issue.
Why Is a Blinking Check Engine Light Serious?
During a severe misfire, unburned fuel can enter the exhaust system. This can cause the catalytic converter to overheat, potentially resulting in expensive damage. You may also notice the engine shaking, rough idling, reduced power, hesitation, or unusual sounds. These are all signs of a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately
At Oceanworks Auto Repair in Berkeley we can help with a flashing check engine light – our nationally ASE certified technicians will find the root cause of the problem, and we will let you know what it takes to get your car healthy again. All repairs are covered by our 2 year / 24,000 mile warranty. Call our Berkeley auto repair shop for any check engine light issues – we are here to help.