Why does the engine warning light flash when starting?
2 Answers
When starting, the engine warning light flashing may be caused by unclean engine cylinders or a malfunction of certain engine components. Unclean engine cylinders: This leads to poor combustion conditions. When fuel quality is poor, focus on detecting combustion issues. If data logs show multiple misfires, it indicates poor combustion. Such poor combustion can lead to carbon deposits over time, creating a long-term cycle. Malfunction of certain engine components: The engine fault signal light is triggered by the ECU, which controls all electronic components of the engine, such as the electronic throttle, fuel injectors, alternator, fuel pump, etc. If any of these systems fail, the engine warning light will illuminate.
As a driver with years of experience, I've encountered the engine light flashing during startup a few times. This usually indicates something is wrong with the engine, most commonly due to ignition system failure. For example, worn-out spark plugs or faulty ignition coils causing a cylinder to misfire, which the computer detects as an imbalance and triggers the warning light. It could also be a sensor malfunction, such as inaccurate readings from the oxygen sensor, leading the computer to mistakenly think combustion is abnormal. Another possibility is fuel system issues, like clogged fuel injectors or insufficient fuel pump pressure, which can make the engine run unevenly. If the light flashes accompanied by car shaking, never force driving as it can damage the engine—it's safer to pull over immediately for inspection or call for assistance.
