2002 Grand Marquis, 150k+
The CEL started flashing on me with some sputtering. I pulled over to check the code and it stopped. Stopped sputtering as well. Drove a few miles and the exact same thing happened and it again stopped when I pulled over. It didn’t happen again for two weeks until today and I still can’t get a code.
New coils a few months ago, plugs about a year old. Runs fine otherwise.
A flashing Check Engine light indicates a major misfire is occurring.
I wouldn’t be driving this vehicle until it’s found out what’s causing the flashing Check engine light, as it can result in damaged catalytic converters and engine.
Tester
Thanks for the reply. I understand the seriousness. The problem is I won’t get the code or symptoms if it isn’t run. Not sure how to approach.
There’s a code stored in the computer as a history code.
Any shop with the proper equipment can retrieve the history codes.
Tester
That I didn’t know. I will drop it off with my mechanic. Thank you.
I had a similar problem, the computer failed and the failure also resulted in a no-code condition.
A misfire fault (minor or major) will be a “pending” fault on the current ignition cycle, the misfire needs to occur on two consecutive ignition cycles to become a stored fault. The pending fault information will be erased if the fault is not detected again. Take your code reader with you and connect it while the problem occurs.