What does it mean when the engine malfunction indicator light flashes?
2 Answers
When the engine malfunction indicator light flashes, it could indicate a fault in one of the engine components. The engine fault warning light is triggered by the ECU (Engine Control Unit), which controls all electronic devices in the engine, such as the electronic throttle, fuel injectors, alternator, fuel pump, etc. If any of these systems malfunction, the engine warning light will illuminate. A continuously flashing engine malfunction light is abnormal. Sometimes no specific issue may be detected during inspection, which could be caused by internal wiring problems in the engine or system malfunctions. The ECU might generate error codes during computation, leading to the illumination of the engine warning light. Such fault codes need to be cleared at an authorized 4S dealership.
My old car also had the engine warning light flashing before, which was really nerve-wracking. The mechanic said the most common issue is with the ignition system, like worn-out spark plugs or poor contact in the ignition coil - this thing controls the ignition timing, and once it malfunctions, it can cause misfires. Sensors are also prone to causing trouble; for example, if the crankshaft position sensor gets oily, the ECU won't receive correct signals. Once after filling up with cheap gasoline, the light started flashing like crazy, and I later learned it was because the fuel injectors got clogged with impurities. A flashing light is more urgent than a steady one, indicating the engine is suffering continuous damage, so you must slow down and pull over immediately. Now I've developed a habit of having the mechanic scan for trouble codes during every maintenance check to proactively identify hidden issues like oxygen sensor problems, preventing breakdowns on the road.
