# Check engine light flashed, then shut off **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mercury, grandmarquis\ **Created:** [June 14, 2020, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-flashed-then-shut-off/165769 "2020-06-14T18:50:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Carlton-22](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/carlton-22/32/21283_2.png) [@Carlton-22](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Carlton-22)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-flashed-then-shut-off/165769/1 "2020-06-14T18:50:06Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-flashed-then-shut-off/165769/2 "2020-06-14T19:01:06Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Carlton-22](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/carlton-22/32/21283_2.png) [@Carlton-22](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Carlton-22)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 7:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-flashed-then-shut-off/165769/3 "2020-06-14T19:03:41Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 7:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-flashed-then-shut-off/165769/4 "2020-06-14T19:07:15Z")
There’s a code stored in the computer as a history code. Any shop with the proper equipment can retrieve the history codes. Tester ---
**Author:** ![Carlton-22](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/carlton-22/32/21283_2.png) [@Carlton-22](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Carlton-22)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 7:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-flashed-then-shut-off/165769/5 "2020-06-14T19:10:42Z")
That I didn’t know. I will drop it off with my mechanic. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-flashed-then-shut-off/165769/6 "2020-06-14T19:19:49Z")
I had a similar problem, the computer failed and the failure also resulted in a no-code condition. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light-flashed-then-shut-off/165769/7 "2020-06-14T19:19:54Z")
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.