My Vehicle Check Engine Light Is Constantly on and Blinking on the Dashboard

My Vehicle Check Engine Light Is Constantly on and Blinking on the Dashboard. What Could be the Cause?

First of all it’s important to know what a blinking Check Engine light means. When the engine light is blinking, it means that there is a problem with the engine and there is a trouble code stored in the Engine Control Module. Normally, the Check Engine light is not supposed to blink; but if it does, it means the problem with the engine occured right away and should be looked into.

The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) receives information from all the sensors of the car engine. It calculates how much fuel it should inject into the engine and at which angle it should fire the ignition. If one of the values from a sensor is faulty, it will trigger a trouble code. If the ECU is getting the wrong value from the sensor, the Check Engine light will be blinking until it gets the correct value again.

Common causes of a blinking check engine light: The Check Engine light is most likely to blink if it’s a severe constant problem, like a repeatedly ignition misfire, injector, or a temperature sensor problem, that constitute an essential part of the engine’s running. In rare cases, there could also be an internal engine problem or a faulty ECU. From experience, a blinking Check Engine light is most often a misfire, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) or an exhaust temperature sensor.
-Misfire on one or several cylinders (Most common).
-Faulty Spark plugs/Coils.
-Faulty Engine Sensors (coolant, air temperature, exhaust temperature sensor etc).
-Faulty EGR valve.
-Faulty/Bad Injectors.
-Faulty Crankshaft/Camshaft sensor.
-Exhaust emission problems.
-Boost/Overcharging problems.
-Internal Engine problem.
-Faulty ECU.

A constant Check Engine light can be okay to drive with sometimes, but definitely not a blinking Check Engine light. If you notice the check engine light blinking when you are out and driving, you should drive the shortest way to a mechanic workshop to let them take a look before you keep driving. Driving with a blinking Check Engine light can result in more expensive problems with your engine.

Our recommendation: Do not run your car with a blinking Check Engine light, tow it to the closest workshop if possible.