Flashing CEL??
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Flashing CEL??
I know, you're thinking another CEL question?-lol Most of the time they usually signal an emission or sensor issue. Nothing to alarming yet I don't think but my Fiance said while driving it flashed on and off a few times for a few minutes before staying off. She said the engine seemed to run slower. ??? I know, can't make much of that. Basically, I told her to keep an eye on it on her way home from work to see if it does it again and pay attention to how the truck runs. Any first shot diagnosis from you guys? Thanks!
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A flashing CEL is indicative of an active misfire. If it goes away and stays off you have no problem. If the problem persists, it will come on and stay on and a 'code' will be stored helping you with the diagnosis.
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i am not positive on this but i belive if the cel comes on at all it should have stored a code if it goes out the code becomes inactive but a scan tool will still be able to read the code to troubleshoot the problem.
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From: Jersey Shore on the Right
I'll add my experiences and observations - 6 hours from home leaving Vermont the truck starts to vibrate and the CEL starts flashing. CEL stops flashing but I feel I lost at least one if not two cylinders worth of power. It's snowing and everything is wet. Got no power climbing hills, bucks like mad if I try and accelerate. Turned off the overdrive and the jump in RPM's allowed me to get up the hills. Two hours of switching the overdrive off and on and the problem clears itself. I'm able to accelerate with the overdrive on and everything seems fine - full power. Take it to my mechanic - no codes. Even though the CEL flashed briefly there were no codes to be read. Two days in the shop and finally the mechanic detects a miss at cold start - Changed plugs and wires and so far so good. From hkiefus' description I'd say I had an active misfire. There was a recent thread that mentioned wet conditions causing the spark plug wire boot(s) to short out causing misfire. I'm hoping this was the problem, again no codes to read.
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I believe that if the misfire persists, that cylinder's injector is turned off. I would love to know the specific logic as to when the PCM finally gives up and registers the code and when it tries/fails/turns off the injector.
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Yeah, I was curious as to whether a flashing CEL would register a code or not. Nothing has happened since but I will be keeping an eye on it. A plug change is in the future once the temps get above freezing long enough.
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Well, we've had the above mentioned flashing cel twice just recently. My fiance tells me it flashes and as it flashes the truck runs rough. When it stops, it runs fine as usual. Does this still sound like an active misfire? If so, what might the cause be? Plugs? Wires? The Navi has about 85,000 miles and new plugs are in order anyway. I'm going to try and head over to Autozone this weekend and see what codes will show. Thanks
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Quick update. CEL is staying on so I made a quick trip up the road to Autozone. Pull the code and it's confirmed. #1 plug misfire. Once again, plugs? Wires? Something else? Thanks guys!
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Switch plugs and wires and see if the misfire moves with it. If it does, it's a plug or wire problem. If not, it's more than likely an injector problem. Long shot, but it did happen to me, a bad head gasket can cause a misfire as well, but that's a lot more rare than anything else.
When's the last time the plugs and wires were changed out?
When's the last time the plugs and wires were changed out?
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A plug change is in the plans. I was waiting for the weather to warm up. I haven't gone through my owner's manual yet, but does it tell you the plug numbers and firing order? #1 being drivers side front or passenger side front plug? I'm seeing prices for wires around 50-80 bucks a piece. Ouch! IS this correct?
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Haven't look yet but assuming from what I have researched, COP. Do I have to replace the COP boot itself? Or the whole COP? I've called for pricing and the coils are anywhere from 50-75 bucks. Not sure exactly what I need to replace yet. I'll be going home today after work and start probing but am hoping to figure out exactly what I need to buy.
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From: All over Texas
Just to be safe, go get a $50 COP and replace the whole thing (it could just be the boot, but with so many miles it's probably better to start new)...being #1 and only being one COP, it won't take but a few minutes to replace.
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Originally Posted by c_hohensee
Number 1 is the passenger side front. Do you have cops (coil on plugs) or wires to coil packs.