What is the reason why the car's P light keeps flashing and cannot start?
2 Answers
The reason why the car's P light keeps flashing and cannot start is due to electrical or mechanical faults; fuel system faults. There are 3 tips for driving an automatic transmission: 1. When waiting at a red light: Depending on driving habits, temporarily stop and hold the brake while in D gear because the torque converter inside the transmission is equipped with a reaction wheel with a one-way clutch, whose function is to amplify the torque from the engine crankshaft. It does not rotate at engine idle speed and only comes into play when the engine speed increases; 2. When starting: Press the brake pedal before moving the gear lever from P or N gear to the driving gear. Release the brake pedal, and the vehicle can slowly move. The purpose of pressing the brake in advance is to ensure the safety of the driver and the vehicle; 3. When starting the engine: The engine can only be started when the gear lever is in P or N position. If the gear lever is in driving gears such as D, R, etc., the engine cannot be started.
When the car's P gear indicator light flashes and fails to start, it is often caused by electronic sensor or system failure. The most common issue is a faulty transmission position sensor, which misjudges that the gear is not in P, causing the system to refuse to start. The brake pedal switch may also fail, as the system cannot detect the signal when the brake must be pressed to start, or the brake light itself may have problems that affect the system. A battery with too low voltage can cause the lights to flicker erratically and result in weak starting. If the electronic anti-theft system is activated, unauthenticated keys or module errors can also trigger the issue. It is recommended to start with simple checks, such as verifying if the brake lights are working, replacing the battery to check power levels, and then visiting a professional shop to use a diagnostic tool to read fault codes and identify sensor or module problems. Safety first—do not force-start the car to avoid damaging larger components.
