Check Enging Light Flashing - HELP!

Christopher · 10-11-2006, 04:20 PM

I have a 1998 Esteem GL Wagon. 180K Miles. I was bought new. It has been a great little car. So great, that to this point the only thing outside of regular maintenance that has gone wrong with it is that around 100K miles the O2 sensor had to be replaced due to carbon buildup.

Today I went to pull out of my driveway, and the Check Engine light started to flash (it has never done this before) The car seemed to have little pickup, and the engine seemed like it was going to stall, but never did. I drove about a 1/2 mile, realized the situation wasn't improving, and turned around to come home. As I was coming home I heard a "ca clunk clunk" under the hood on the right side (it seemed anyway).

The car is sitting in my driveway right now. Two questions:

1. Anyone have any idea what type of repair I'm looking at?

2. Is it even safe to drive this car into the shop (7 miles from here)?

Thanks in advance.

Christopher

Suzuki01 · 10-11-2006, 06:14 PM

sorry to hear about the car man. I drave a 2001 esteem and no problems yet. *knock on Wood* Anyways i wouldn't drive the car if it were me...as for the check engine light ill ask my dad about it. cause he knows almost all the codes by heart. Another thing u can do is try unplugging the battery and leaving it sit for a few minutes to let the car reset. Than put the battery cables back on and see when the check engine lgihts comes on. Ill post back later with an idea of what the problem is.

Suzuki01 · 10-11-2006, 10:08 PM

Yeah man i talked to my dad about ur car...hes says dont drive the car. If the check engine light is flashing u have to tow it to a dealer and get that fixed. There something definately wrong!

B0utch · 11-18-2006, 12:56 PM

lol disconnect the battery and let it reset.... thats really a bad idea... if you engine light comes up that mean theres really something wrong.... whats the big idea!?

Christopher · 11-22-2006, 03:15 PM

Hello,

Just a quick update. I did take it in to the dealership the following day. They told me it was safe to drive it in. They replaced the spark plugs and wires, and its back to running like the day I bought it.

183K miles and going strong :-).

Christopher

Brit101 · 01-14-2007, 07:16 PM

Thank you for the update, everyone learns from them.

TTGOTH · 01-15-2007, 08:55 PM

Mine flashed for 2 years, It was the o2 sensor. If it runs ok just keeo running it......

OBAId · 07-20-2008, 11:19 PM

My Dear All. I am new one on this website an searching a technical hand to provide me the help regarding the Flashing of checking Engine light during my drive unexpectedly, I am also not feeling comfortable in my drive. I had discussed this with my auto mechanice and he was unable to resolve this other than cleaning the battery trermninal and said ok... but after few kilometers drive it flash up... If any one help me... I am very thankfull to all of you......
I hope from this way some one will guide me.... what to check and are necessary action....??????

THANKS .... and LOVE TO ALL>

jim_naisium · 07-20-2008, 11:59 PM

Take it to Autozone and have them hook their OBD-II tester box up to your car and pull the trouble codes out of the engine computer, they should be able to tell you what it says is wrong.

What year of car do you have and what engine size?

So far the trouble on mine has been the O2 sensor and the EGR valve.

flashlightboy · 07-25-2008, 09:51 AM

they charge you an arm and leg to reset the light for nothing wrong.. gass cap loose...$80.00.. clear code and tight cap.. crazy... how do you clear the codes is whtepople want to know.. if you have oil and coolant and it runs ok.. drive it.. do not waste your$$$ on a tow charge if it sounds ok.. use your head..save your money unless you have lots to waste..