What does it mean when your check engine light comes on and then goes off?

What does it mean when your check engine light comes on and then goes off?

Originally Answered: What is the reason your check engine light would turn on and off? If you mean ‘flashing’as in repeatedly on and off while driving that is a critical emission system failure that means active damage is occurring to components, usually the catalytic converter(s).

What does it mean when your check engine light flashes 10 times?

A check engine light that flashes 10 times when you turn on the ignition simply means that the ECM has not run it’s emission OBD monitors. It is not really a code. After driving the truck for a while, the monitors will eventually run and pass.

Why does my check engine light flash when I accelerate?

A blinking light usually indicates a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can quickly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an expensive repair.

How long can you drive with a check engine light on?

When the check engine light is solid, you can typically drive the car for hundreds of miles without an issue. Of course, that depends on which code is stored in the vehicle’s computer. If an engine sensor is faulty, the car will usually use made up sensor values to keep running.

How long does it take for the check engine light to go off after replacing gas cap?

So first things first, pull over (as soon as it’s safe) and make sure your gas cap is on tight. If this was indeed the trigger, your check engine light should go off within 10 or 20 miles once you’re back on the road.

Can overfilling your gas tank cause the check engine light to come on?

Yes, overfilling the gas tank can trigger the “Check Engine” light to come on. When we overfill the gas tank, the excess gasoline can enter the part of the Evaporative system called the Charcoal Canister, which is designed to absorb gasoline vapors rather than raw fuel.

How do you turn off check engine light after tightening gas cap?

How to Reset the Warning Light Gas Cap That Is Loose or Missing

1. Turn off your vehicle’s engine.
2. Step to the gas cap door.
3. Replace the gas cap.
4. Close the gas cap door.
5. Use an OBD-II code scanner if the warning light does not disappear.
6. Continue driving the vehicle.

What are the signs of a bad gas cap?

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Gas Cap

• Cap does not tighten properly. One of the most common symptoms of an issue with the gas cap is a cap that does not tighten properly.
• Fuel smell from the vehicle. Another symptom of a possible issue with the fuel cap is a fuel smell from the vehicle.
• Check Engine Light comes on.