'97 Protege's Engine Light is Blinking

[crowzhome]

Hi, I have a '97 Protege and the check engine light is blinking. On top of that, took it to get renewed for our states emission testing and they say because the light is on, they can't pass me. Took it to a few different mechanics that were rated highly in Chicago and they say no codes are coming up.

After doing some research on this, there seems to be alot of these type problems with the Protege. Also, I read that if the check engine light is not blinking but on constant, that means it has to do with the emissions and if the light is blinking, that means something is wrong with the engine. Is this true?

Any suggestions?

 

[traiser_14_16]

My check engine light came on constant and I took it in to get it checked out....I had to pay $120 to be told nothing was wrong with it. I just needed to get the EGC sensor reset.

 

[joesturbo]

Also, I read that if the check engine light is not blinking but on constant, that means it has to do with the emissions and if the light is blinking, that means something is wrong with the engine. Is this true?

Any suggestions?

Most OBDII vehicles follow this methodology...

Blinking engine light = stop vehicle immediately as there is something detrimental that is going on. This is an indicator that the engine could be damaged.

Solid Engine light = there is a problem with the engine that is effecting the efficiency of the motor. Not as serious as you can imagine but needs to be looked at.

I personally think if there is not a code stored in the ECU, that there is an electrical problem causing the issue. Does the car run ok?

Also check your owners manual, it should have references to the engine light and what it means...

Joe

 

[crowzhome]

Hi, I think it is an electrical problem also because now the light is just on and doesn't blink anymore. The problem is, the emissions people say they can't pass me because the light is on and no codes are coming up. Is that right for them to do?

 

[joesturbo]

Hi, I think it is an electrical problem also because now the light is just on and doesn't blink anymore. The problem is, the emissions people say they can't pass me because the light is on and no codes are coming up. Is that right for them to do?

Hmmm,
I don't know if the light is on they can't pass you. I believe the light must be tied to a fault code, if they cannot find any I don't think it should matter.

I would see if you could pull a fuse and take it back to them without the cluster working. Afterall their policy maybe only for the light to not be working and that is it. Just a thought on a workaround.

Joe

 

[dmills2]

Blinking check engine light means that it is a catalyst damaging missfire. If it is just staying on it could be any number of things. That year model had problems with mass airflow sensors going bad... also rubber intake boots between throttle body and air filter housing crack and allow unmetered air into engine, but that usually causing rough running or even stalling condition. good luck

 

[loganss]

Have you tried going to autozone and using their OBDII scan tool to scan the car yourself?

I invested in a scan tool cause i didn't feel like getting charged $80+ for them to read the code and give me their "professional analysis"