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

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.

What does a flashing check engine light mean on a Toyota?

If the check engine light in your Toyota starts flashing, that means that the problem needs sudden attention and your Toyota should be brought in immediately. A flashing light indicates that the problem is precarious and if not taken care of immediately may result in gargantuan wear and tear to the vehicle.

Can I drive my car with the check engine light blinking?

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.

Can bad spark plugs cause check engine light to blink?

Worn/failed spark plugs, coil packs, or spark plug wires can trigger your check engine light to come on. In today’s cars, say Firestone Complete Auto Care technicians, if a plug starts to fail then the most obvious event should be the check engine light coming on or even flashing.

How do I know if my spark plug is misfiring?

Symptoms of misfiring spark plugs include rough idling, uneven power when accelerating, and an increase in exhaust emissions.

What does an engine misfire feel like?

Misfires can happen when a vehicle is under load while accelerating. This causes slow or sluggish acceleration and your vehicle may have trouble getting up to speed. You might feel a jerking motion when pressing down on the throttle. The most common cause of an engine misfire when accelerating is worn-out spark plugs.

What does a misfire feel like while driving?

Technically, a misfire is the result of incomplete combustion (or zero combustion) inside one or more of an engine’s cylinders. But to you, the driver, the problem will usually feel like hesitation or shaking when the car is running. On modern vehicles, the check engine light will also pop on when there’s a misfire.