Check engine light problems

[Mason Methot]

Jeep's been acting up for a while (as per usual) the engine light has been on and off, usually when towing a trailer it comes on.
Today, though, while the light was yet again on, I turned onto an 80kph road and put my foot down. Once I got up to speed I noticed the CEL flashing, then after a few flashes, it turned off. Haven't seen it since (car was on and off a couple times today after that)
Just wondering what the possible problems could be before I take it into my school for an obd reading.
I dug around and some say the flashing could mean a misfire, but I didn't really notice anything?

 

[ltd02]

Flashing CEL means something very bad is happening and you should shut down immediately or you might damage the cats. Bad misfire could do it. Raw fuel in the cats and resulting high temps can trash them.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Exactly. Flashing = really bad, anything else you'd need to scan it.

 

[LibertyTC]

When the check engine light is flashing that means pull over & turn it off period.
Don't continue to drive like that.
Anytime the light has illuminated there will be a stored code present.
You need to read the code via an OBD2 reader or you could try the key trick and see if code will show in digital odometer....
Without starting Jeep...
Key to ON-OFF-ON- OFF- ON ( leave in ON position....)

 

[Mason Methot]

When the check engine light is flashing that means pull over & turn it off period.
Don't continue to drive like that.
Anytime the light has illuminated there will be a stored code present.
You need to read the code via an OBD2 reader or you could try the key trick and see if code will show in digital odometer....
Without starting Jeep...
Key to ON-OFF-ON- OFF- ON ( leave in ON position....)

Well what was I supposed to do? I'm not calling no tow truck. And I didn't continue to drive like that, I only pressed the pedal hard once and suddenly it's about to blow up.
I should be having it scanned in the next week or so.
The whole ON-OFF trick doesn't work with my Liberty for some reason (not on '07's maybe?)

 

[HoosierJeeper]

The key trick stopped after 05 I think.

 

[Mason Methot]

The key trick stopped after 05 I think.

That's what I thought. I tried it on mine once and all it did was clear the light for a few days :/

 

[tommudd]

Well what was I supposed to do? I'm not calling no tow truck. And I didn't continue to drive like that, I only pressed the pedal hard once and suddenly it's about to blow up.
I should be having it scanned in the next week or so.
The whole ON-OFF trick doesn't work with my Liberty for some reason (not on '07's maybe?)

Tow truck cheaper than a new motor

 

[LibertyTC]

Many of our Members carry an OBD2 reader in the Jeep for when codes arise.
The cost is relatively inexpensive & nice to know immediately what is causing the issue.
I have an Autel Maxitrip which is similar to a ScanGaugeII & offers many extra gauges & can read/clear codes.
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[KJ604]

A flashing CEL means active misfire. You really need to pull the codes to understand where the issue is. My 4 cyl kia sportage did this to me once. I unplugged the coil pack and the injector and drove like that for 2 days until i had time to go to the wrecker and buy a new coil pack. But again the codes are needed to even identify which cylinder is misfiring. I have the ELM327 bluetooth OBDII reader which cost me $12 online (and i know you can get them cheaper now), paired up with the torque pro app for android for $4. (torque might be available for apple products now not sure, but there was an equivalent app by a different name also) This way I can check codes as soon as they appear, plus read every other sensor on the vehicle in real time.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I got a misfire once after I had washed the engine and let it set for a few hours, never heated up enough to dry out. Had to pull the coil packs and dry them out.

 

[Mason Methot]

Tow truck cheaper than a new motor

Something tells me a new engine will not be needed

 

[KJ604]

Something tells me a new engine will not be needed

His point was simply if you dont know whats going on then sometimes its best to play it safe. Driving with a flashing CEL when you dont know the cause is definitely taking a risk. Luckily you had no problems.

Any updates on the CEL?

 

[Mason Methot]

His point was simply if you dont know whats going on then sometimes its best to play it safe. Driving with a flashing CEL when you dont know the cause is definitely taking a risk. Luckily you had no problems.

Any updates on the CEL?

I understand the point. It's just that I couldn't do anything at the time. The best thing I could have done was pull over then turn it off...but then what? I don't have money for a tow truck if it were to for some reason no start back up or something.

Not much to say about the CEL, it stayed off since the flashing problem the other day.

Quick question though, because it is off, does that mean the computer isn't holding any problem codes? I may or may not have it read in the next couple of days and I wanna know if the Jeep is gonna not show anything because a mechanic is looking at it (then when I pull away the light shows again)

 

[HoosierJeeper]

They should all be stored in there if you don't disconnect the battery. If the shop says that they can't do anything unless it's on that's ********.

 

[Mason Methot]

They should all be stored in there if you don't disconnect the battery. If the shop says that they can't do anything unless it's on that's ********.

Ah don't worry about the shop bullshitting me on anything, it'll be my auto teacher at my high school. Since I'm a good little pupil he'll probably do everything he can do diagnose this thing.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Good connection to have!!!

 

[KJ604]

I understand the point. It's just that I couldn't do anything at the time. The best thing I could have done was pull over then turn it off...but then what? I don't have money for a tow truck if it were to for some reason no start back up or something.

Not much to say about the CEL, it stayed off since the flashing problem the other day.

Quick question though, because it is off, does that mean the computer isn't holding any problem codes? I may or may not have it read in the next couple of days and I wanna know if the Jeep is gonna not show anything because a mechanic is looking at it (then when I pull away the light shows again)

Right but a flashing CEL means big trouble so your either taking a chance on having to call a tow truck which is $$ or buy a new motor which is $$$$. So if you dont have $$ for a tow truck then Im going to guess you dont have $$$$ for a motor either so that, in itself, was a big gamble. HOWEVER. Im glad it worked out for you and the motor didnt detonate and you can probably save it. That is in the past now, I suggest we leave it there.

Sometimes there are stored codes that will not light up the CEL. They will show up as a stored code when you have them checked. Misfires usually fall into that category. So the computer will be telling you "you had a misfire but it is no longer present". If the CEL is now off and you are having no performance issues then it could have been something as simple as water in the coil pack. If you think there is no chance there could have been water in there then if I was you I would be looking at new coil packs and spark pugs because chances are this problem will rear its head again

 

[Mason Methot]

Right but a flashing CEL means big trouble so your either taking a chance on having to call a tow truck which is $$ or buy a new motor which is $$$$. So if you dont have $$ for a tow truck then Im going to guess you dont have $$$$ for a motor either so that, in itself, was a big gamble. HOWEVER. Im glad it worked out for you and the motor didnt detonate and you can probably save it. That is in the past now, I suggest we leave it there.

Sometimes there are stored codes that will not light up the CEL. They will show up as a stored code when you have them checked. Misfires usually fall into that category. So the computer will be telling you "you had a misfire but it is no longer present". If the CEL is now off and you are having no performance issues then it could have been something as simple as water in the coil pack. If you think there is no chance there could have been water in there then if I was you I would be looking at new coil packs and spark pugs because chances are this problem will rear its head again

Well I know we got some spark plugs on hand so those will be checked and replaced. As for coil packs, I'll see if Amazon.ca has any good deals on those

I'm sure this won't happen again for a long time as I hate pressing the pedal hard because I can feel something about to break off any moment.:Insane:

 

[KJ604]

rockauto has good deals usually. I have used them alot now with no problems. I just bought a set of the Standard Motor coil packs this year and they have been fine.