# Blinking check engine light

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/blinking-check-engine-light/126501>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [October 10, 2018, 2:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/blinking-check-engine-light/126501 "2018-10-10T14:15:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bobbiadams24\_143112](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4da419/32.png) [@Bobbiadams24\_143112](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bobbiadams24_143112)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 2:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/blinking-check-engine-light/126501/1 "2018-10-10T14:15:36Z")

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I just started my car this morning and the check engine light started blinking and im not sure why helpp if your in the cumberland md area i really could use some help

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/blinking-check-engine-light/126501/2 "2018-10-10T14:17:31Z")

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It is because the car’s onboard diagnostic system has detected an engine misfire. This can cause VERY expensive damage to the catalytic converter and possibly to the engine itself. Your best bet is to have the car towed to a reputable mechanic’s shop for diagnosis and repair.

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**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 2:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/blinking-check-engine-light/126501/3 "2018-10-10T14:18:08Z")

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It means turn off the car and get it towed to a shop for diagnosis and repair. If it was just on (not blinking) you could drive it to a shop/car parts store to have the codes read. But blinking means stop and tow.

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**Author:** ![SteveCBT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevecbt/32/3192_2.png) [@SteveCBT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveCBT)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/blinking-check-engine-light/126501/4 "2018-10-10T14:22:49Z")

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Agree with @VDCdriver and @texases, a misfire dumps raw fuel into the catalytic converter, The cat is designed to handle small amounts of residual unburned fuel, CO and a few other things. A misfire is putting gobs and gobs of gasoline into the cat, it will overheat and be damaged and  
un-repairable, they are not cheap. I have heard of them melting internally. Call your local shop and arrange for a tow.