jlsmi2

I've been driving my moms CRV while my Civic is immobile due to me doing the brakes.

The check engine light came on recently and is flashing.. Is this typical of the CRV? I think its unusual that it keeps flashing...do these do this instead of a steady check engine light>?

For reference it is a 98 Ex model CRV 5 - speed.

Any guesses? Something loose?? Any common experiences???

Kenso

A flashing CEL usually means the ecu has detected an engine misfire on one or more cylinders.

jlsmi2

whoa! okay thanks for the tip....

jlsmi2

maybe its the coil. it was not the plugs, cap, rotor, wires.... replaced them all and still having the same issues..

maybe the timing is way off...

Kenso

Is it actually running poorly or are you just getting the CEL flashing? Honda has a service news article about aftermarket drivebelts causing a cel with no driveability problems. In these cases the ecu is detecting a misfire where there is not one present. Check and see what codes are stored in the ecu.

jlsmi2

I do need to check the codes.. Its definitely not driving okay...

it idles low, sometimes idles high, rpms go up and down, and it always stalls at a stop if not warmed up to normal temp.

I replaced all the plugs, wires, cap, rotor which were done recently anyway to test that... not that!

TurboBumblBee

my '01 CL-s had a flashing CEL about 2 weeks. i was getting on it a little hard to see what the car had in it, turned off VSS, and floored, wheel hop, tires spinning, then a saw the CEL. i turned off the car, restarted it and never saw it agian

good luck getting yours to go away

sonicrex

Those year CRVs have common problems with fuel injector failures. I'd check it out as soon as possible. As was stated earlier, the MIL only flashes when a catalyst damaging event (such as a misfire) has been detected.

screwmesa

I have a 97 crv and recently had 2 cylinders misfiring, but CEL never flashed, just stayed on.

jlsmi2

There was a problem with the valves. Have to pull the head apart.

mandi827

my 97 crv just had same problem. It was running like crap also. Just replaced ignition module and rotor $550

solo2slocivic

there is a bulletin on the valve/head problems with crv's

typerhedlights

from what i learned in wyotech. flashing mil lights mean that there is catalyst damage occuring and you shouldnt drive the vehicle. your cat is getting fked i think??

slowgd3

is an american crv b20b?

Mike K

does the flashing check engine light occur before the vehicle is started? like with the key in the 2nd on position? if so, then that's just displaying readiness codes. not really a big deal. but if it's doing it while driving, then it's a potential catalyst damaging situation, and should be fixed asap.
most likely if it's a b20b or b20z crv, and you have p0301, 02, 03 or 04.. your exhaust valves have recessed into your cylinder head on one or more cylinders. you'll need to replace the head. honda usually goodwill's the head, and all you have to pay for is labor.

ps- if this IS the case and you need to swap the head, then i have a good one for sale.. cheap. 2001 b20Z head with 35,000 miles on it. let me know.

Andres bertrand

hi, l have the same problem l m owner a honda crv 2003 and having check engine lights on code (po300 misfire detected)whats the mining (coil pack) and where they are for your help thank you.

Brilliant13

I just bought a 2001 Honda CRV for $13,000 two days ago, it has 65,000 miles on it. Yesterday I noticed my check engine light was flashing and the engine was kind of shaky -it had no pick up, it appears to idle low and seems to putt-putt- almost like it wants to stall. I'm bringing it back to the dealer that I bought it from on Monday but I don't feel like I can completely trust them. Does anyone have any ideas on what could be wrong with it?
Lisa

bluetintruben

Just did the timing belt on my friends cr-v and its runs pretty bad. Timing is right on. I'm afraid maybe his valves have gone south. The cap and rotor are fairly new.

DumpdEJ6

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but this exact same thing is happening to my friends CRV. I changed the timing belt and a month or so later, OP's problem occurred. I really don't want to take off the head again unless I'm ABSOLUTELY sure the valves need replacing.


How can I be sure before I take the head off? I have spark to all plugs and the timing is dead on. #4 cylinder is misfiring, the rest are good. Injector resistance is good, injectors were soaked in cleaner prior to re-installation.

Creno

. What do you mean by the catylist is getting damaged? The catalytic converter? I'm not saying that you are not smart but when I went to wyotech it was a joke and the biggest waste of money ever...