CEL Flashing and then Steady On?!?!

[Protege__Owner]

I'm driving a 2001 Protege ES, currently 90,000 miles on it.

Recently, within the past two months or so, my CEL light would start flashing as I'm driving on the highway (about 10 flashes) and then it would stay on steady. At the time the flashing CEL came on, I would notice a sudden decrease in power, but once it stopped flashing and stayed steady, the car would lurch ahead a little and regain the power again? After the light was on for about one day, it would disappear. And somewhere down the line, it would come back again flashing and then steady. I've noticed that it usually happens when I'm below half tank of gas. Has anyone experienced this before? Should I worry about this? What could be the problem?

 

[k-lea]

What's the code?

 

[Protege__Owner]

What's the code?

K-lea,
Don't know what the code is. Haven't gotten it pulled yet. Expecting my code scanner in the mail sometime next week. In the meantime, without the code...any insight as to what might the problem be? Thanks for your time and info.

 

[k-lea]

It'd be easier to know what's going on with a code.

 

[TheMAN]

a blinking light means you have a misfire going on in the engine and it is enough to potentially damage the catalytic converter

you need to stop driving the car and fix the problem or it'll cost you a lot more!

 

[k-lea]

a blinking light means you have a misfire going on in the engine and it is enough to potentially damage the catalytic converter

you need to stop driving the car and fix the problem or it'll cost you a lot more!

are you positive?

 

[Kansei]

Yes. He's positive, don't question The Man The flashing CEL is the Protege's worst nightmare, definitely don't drive the car at all unless you really want to replace both of your cats as well as fixing whatever else the problem is.

Just to get some more info, how many miles are on your current spark plugs, spark plug wires, and your ignition coils? And are your wires OEM?

Whenever I've had misfires it was because of s*** spark plug wires (sparkco) or other s*** spark plug wires having a bad boot seal to the plug.

 

[k-lea]

Yes. He's positive, don't question The Man The flashing CEL is the Protege's worst nightmare, definitely don't drive the car at all unless you really want to replace both of your cats as well as fixing whatever else the problem is.

Just to get some more info, how many miles are on your current spark plugs, spark plug wires, and your ignition coils? And are your wires OEM?

Whenever I've had misfires it was because of s*** spark plug wires (sparkco) or other s*** spark plug wires having a bad boot seal to the plug.

GOOD GOING CHRIS. You ruined my fun..damn you.

 

[Jaysanooch]

a blinking light means you have a misfire going on in the engine and it is enough to potentially damage the catalytic converter

you need to stop driving the car and fix the problem or it'll cost you a lot more!

I learned something new today...I'm actually experiencing a flashing cel recently and specifically cel code p0301. Catalytic converter?...that's the last thing I'd think I'd be damaging right now.

 

[Kansei]

Yeah you'll melt that s*** be careful

 

[Jaysanooch]

Your pulling my leg aren't you!? I'm slow today...

 

[Protegebuddy]

I learned something new today...I'm actually experiencing a flashing cel recently and specifically cel code p0301. Catalytic converter?...that's the last thing I'd think I'd be damaging right now.

P0301 = Cyl. No.1 misfire.

 

[Kansei]

Your pulling my leg aren't you!? I'm slow today...

no I'm really not pulling your leg. The flashing CEL is the most severe warning light I can think of on our cars. Do you notice a loss of power or loud noise when the light is flashing? If the misfire is bad enough that the light is flashing, you should really think about the high cost of replacing the cats before continuing to drive the car.

 

[Jaysanooch]

P0301 = Cyl. No.1 misfire.

Yup I know and I was surprised when it read p0301 and not p0300...cause my cel flashes if I redline(6500-6600rpm) the car. Weird cause if I shift trough the gears at 6000rpm everything is good.

I'm at a loss.....New plugs, wires, coil packs and egr valve all replaced lately. Many more things to check but I have no more energy...atleast my car runs great!

Now I gotta worry about my catalytic melting!?

 

[Kansei]

Well if you drive around with the cel flashing for a long time, yeah.. if it's just when you hit redline and stops flashing right away, maybe you don't need to worry about it. Just drive to prevent it from flashing if you can.

 

[Jaysanooch]

no I'm really not pulling your leg. The flashing CEL is the most severe warning light I can think of on our cars.

I know that's why I really didn't need this right now!

Do you notice a loss of power or loud noise when the light is flashing?

Nope, nothing...pulls harder then ever...actually it's never ran this good and It's pretty depressing. I go from OH WOW...to AHHH **** the cel is flashing. I have no luck with this car.

If the misfire is bad enough that the light is flashing, you should really think about the high cost of replacing the cats before continuing to drive the car.

Really eh? I got the ghl to....

 

[Kansei]

well yeah if you just have a single high flow cat replacing that isn't too costly.. what like 80 for the cat itself then just having it welded in. I was thinking OEM with two factory cats (expensive).

 

[Jaysanooch]

Well if you drive around with the cel flashing for a long time, yeah.. if it's just when you hit redline and stops flashing right away, maybe you don't need to worry about it. Just drive to prevent it from flashing if you can.

Ya it flashes like 10 times then stops. I clear the code and it never comes back unless I hit between 6100-6500rpm when shifting which is rare. This really sucks though...

 

[Protegebuddy]

Ya it flashes like 10 times then stops. I clear the code and it never comes back unless I hit between 6100-6500rpm when shifting which is rare. This really sucks though...

Every try checking to make sure your injectors are working properly?

 

[Jaysanooch]

Every try checking to make sure your injectors are working properly?

No I haven't but thanks for reminding me I'll add that to my check list. My A/F ratio's have been consistantly good throughout all of this...but who knows maybe my cylinder #1 injector is not up to par.