What does it mean when the engine malfunction indicator light flashes?

[EmilioLee]

Engine malfunction indicator light flashing may indicate a fault in a certain component of the engine, which is an abnormal phenomenon. There are three possible scenarios when the engine malfunction light flashes: 1. The light is on but there are no abnormal driving conditions - this may just be a sensor malfunction, and you can continue driving temporarily, but it's best to drive at low to medium speeds. 2. The engine malfunction light is on and the vehicle can still be driven, but there are severe vibrations, lack of acceleration power, and other symptoms - this situation requires roadside assistance. 3. The car cannot start - this may be caused by a fuel pump or ignition component failure, in which case you can only call for help.

[KiaraAnn]

Last time on the highway, my engine malfunction light kept flashing, and the whole car was shaking like a sieve. The throttle didn't respond when I pressed it. I immediately turned on the hazard lights and pulled over. Upon inspection, I found the ignition coil of the fourth cylinder was burnt out, and the spark plug was also damaged. The mechanic said this was mostly due to a misfire, where unburned gasoline entered the exhaust pipe. Driving like this would surely ruin the catalytic converter, and the repair cost could be half the price of a car. Now, during every maintenance check, I make sure they inspect the ignition system. The experience of breaking down on the roadside is just too unbearable, especially on rainy days when even the hazard lights are hard to see.

[McAlejandro]

As a seasoned driver, I want to remind everyone to be extremely cautious when warning lights flash. The most common issue is with the fuel system, such as clogged fuel injectors preventing fuel spray, or insufficient fuel pump pressure causing abnormal air-fuel mixture. Last time, my neighbor's car continued driving over ten kilometers after the light came on, resulting in piston ring damage. Nowadays, repair shops have OBD scanners that can read fault codes instantly. If you encounter this situation on the road, don't hesitate about towing fees—calling for rescue is much cheaper than engine repairs.

[AubreeAnn]

A friend who works in auto repair told me that flashing warning lights generally fall into three main categories: first, ignition system issues, such as carbon buildup on spark plugs or ignition coil leakage; second, sensor failures, with the crankshaft position sensor being the most troublesome when it fails; and third, fuel quality problems, where low-quality gasoline from small gas stations can easily cause engine knocking. He suggested that after parking, you should first smell the exhaust pipe—if there's a raw gasoline smell, avoid starting the engine again. Regularly using fuel system cleaners like fuel additives is also quite effective. I add one bottle every 5,000 kilometers, and in five years, I haven’t had any trouble codes.