Hey, just got home and we had a bit of a down pour here. Well as I was driving home kinda hit some big puddles Couldnt really see due to all the rain coming down.

Well just as I was about to park the motor started making a chugging sound kinda like misfiring and the CEL comes on and starts blinking and stays blinking. So i quickly kill the motor.

Any idea what causes a blinking CEL?
Hope I didnt hydrolock.

Thanks.....

 

Well, read the CEL using the CEL thread up top

 

When i go to pull the code, the cel just blinks. It doesnt change. So i have no way to get a code number.

 

So, just a quick single blink? CEL 1 is the primary O2 sensor.

 

I thought if the CEL blinks on and off while driving. It was a misfire code. Having a bad O2 isn't going to make the car chug. Someone else?

 

Hmmm...... Its more like a constant flashing. It does the same flashes when in the key is in the on position.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by D16SohcVtec &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I thought if the CEL blinks on and off while driving. It was a misfire code. Having a bad O2 isn't going to make the car chug. Someone else?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yea, i thought i read that somewhere as well. Do u think some water got in the cylinder(s) n that is whats causing the misfire?

 

When it blinks, does it blink and then stop for a second and then blink again? Or does it constantly blink? If it just constantly blinks then I'm thinking it's a misfire in one of the cylinders. Just reset the ECU and turn the car on to see if the code comes back.

If after it rained and this started happening. You might of sucked a small amount of water. You should drain oil, replaced sparks plugs, put new oil in, and then start the car to see if it still does the same.

 

Blinking of the CEL when the engine is running indicates misfire severe enough to damage the catalytic converter. Given that the engine may have been splashed with water, I'd recommend that you check the distributor connector and inside the distributor for water. Dry thoroughly if necessary. In addition, old plug wires will often malfunction when slightly wet, so you might want to replace those.

 

Awesome! Thank you all for the replies. I will check it all out and try what uve both suggested.

And yes, its a constant blink. No delay between flashes.

 

Well, I went out to check the motor. Pulled the code and it was 72, misfire in cylinder 2. So, misfire like I thought. Reset the ecu, n everything seems good now.