Just a little worried if this means anything or is a sign for things to come. I have my CEL on all the time (stupid code 31). Anyway, last Saturday, was driving around, hit a stop light. I noticed that my idle sounded a bit weird. Then I noticed my CEL was going on and off. This was going on for less than a minute, but then after a while finally stopped, car ran fine after that. Is this bad?

I've been told on here before that a blinking CEL means you have an active multiple cylinder misfire. Could just be your plugs or wires.

Yeah it did that when I was running on 3cyl. Change your plugs and wires. If you can afford, try a new coil pack while your at it, that is if you really love your car.

only time I got a blinking check engine light was when my turbo was burning soo much oil that at every stop smoke would come out from under the hood. car ran like complete shit.

i'd Definatly say multiple misfires because you mentioned a change in your idle and as far as i know thats the only sign of a blinking check engine light. mine did it in my 95 when i had a bad ecu but i would definatly say its time for a tune up, go with the ngks make sure you gap them right and in my opinion go with an aftermarket coil like the msd its cheaper than the oem one and get bigger plug wires, should fix your issue.

Thanks for the info guys. Yeah, I have an idea what's causing it now. I just changed my plug wires recently, but I think the problem is around that area too. I've been leaking oil because of a crappy valve cover gasket, and I haven't had time to fix it yet. Its prolly just my spark plug and wire just drenched with oil again. :P

Originally posted by SonicYan
Its prolly just my spark plug and wire just drenched with oil again. :P

That will get you almost every time. :thumbsup

The only time I've ever had the CEL rave was when I was a dipshit and hosed off the engine. Water in the spark plug wells == shitty, Harley-ish idle.

haha i did that too because i spilled coolant over it, spent an hour blowing in the plug wells with those little compressed air bottles getting it dry

yea, anytime you're driving and the CEL flashes, it means active misfire...or catalyst damaging misfire. if you keep driving it, damage is likely to happen.

if you have a cat it will blow it up, so take a look at your ignition system starting with plugs. multimeter comes in real handy as well for resistance on the plug wires, etc. also check the spark plug wires for holes, they might be arching out and causing your problems.

IF you have access to a lab scope...you can check firing voltage at each plug and by the waveform can determine where the problem lies

good luck

Originally posted by turbo8u
IF you have access to a lab scope...you can check firing voltage at each plug and by the waveform can determine where the problem lies good luck

I'm interpreting "lab scope" as "high voltage probe", any multimeter from Shit Shack will get fried by the secondary coil voltage.

lab scope, as in a snap-on modis

primary, and secondary ignition circuits can both be looked at really easily

edit: one of these bad boys



dont use a multimeter

Hehe, thanks for the info. Yeah, I just wiped the plugs, haven't had that prob for awhile. Still need to buy valve cover gasket, hehehe.

Any time I buy a valve cover gasket, I always have to ask for the spark plug well gaskets because they for some odd reason don't seem to come with the gasket itself.

Originally posted by turbo8u
lab scope, as in a snap-on modis primary, and secondary ignition circuits can both be looked at really easily edit: one of these bad boys dont use a multimeter

dood you must be getting A's in all your automotive classes. I still want copies of the syllabus for turbo 101