Check engine light flashing

[rebecca6923]

My 2003 VW Beetle has a flashing check engine light. The car seems fine when idling but is really sluggish when I press on the gas. It rained so I am thinking this may have something to do with it?? I checked the gas cap and it is tight. We just had him into the shop last month for another check engine light alert....this was for a new water pump, timing belt and coolant sensor. So I hope this isn't something major! He is getting expensive. Any ideas?? Thanks!

[Smileybug]

Get the car scanned at autozone or an equivalent.

Though I'm pretty sure flashing means to stop driving the car and fix what the problem is. The only time mine came on was for a dead O2 sensor and it just stayed on solid.

[70autostick]

Jeez,eh,yeah,don't drive it too much because it may or may not be serious...Take your beast to Autozone,get 'em scanned,if your not certain the seriousness of the situation,let us know wussup,just ask.


Usually a flashing CEL is caused by serious miss fire,detonation,backfire,ect.

Good luck,its prolly not to bad,knock on wood.

[rebecca6923]

yeah, thanks. I am thinking of letting him sit for a day in hopes it is water somewhere that will dry out?? Who knows. If it continues he is going to Autozone, which is a bit of a drive so I hope it isn't serious.

[outamyway]

You shouldn't drive it at all with a flashing CEL.

[70autostick]

The time between ny last post and now, I had purchased a sweet new craftsman CanOBD2 scanner tool for my b-day tuesday,oh how I'd love to scan your bug right about now.

Turns out I had a misfire myself,cleared it up and has yet to return...

Good luck with your MIL,its not a bad investment to look into on yourself,btw.

[O 16581 72452 5]

Flashing CEL is usually caused from seriously misfiring...infact that's all i know of that causes a flashing CEL.

Your ECU retards the timing trying to compensate, that's why it's bogging.

[The Cheat]

well, you did say you had the timing belt done...

timing off a tooth+bad plugs=flash
bad plugs+wires=flash
crossed wires=flash

a flashing cel is caused by a multiple cylinder misfire at the same time.

i wouldn't drive too far, but a few miles ain't gonna kill ya.

[rebecca6923]

So I let him dry out and the CEL is no longer flashing but steady. I will take to get codes scanned at Autozone later today. I am thinking spark plugs got wet?? He now seems 'normal' when idling and gassing...not shuddering like before.

What is ECU?

[70autostick]

Originally Posted by rebecca6923

So I let him dry out and the CEL is no longer flashing but steady. I will take to get codes scanned at Autozone later today. I am thinking spark plugs got wet?? He now seems 'normal' when idling and gassing...not shuddering like before.

What is ECU?

Although they might of contributed,they weren't the cause of your orig. problem.

ECU,on-board computer,engine control module,unit,it means the same