Engine Light Flashing

[BMWfiend]

I was driving down the road and my check engine light came on and started flashing - then my computer lights where dimming in and out.

Then it went off. Went on for about 5 minutes.

Seems fine now. Anyone know what this means?

[drz]

SOrry to state the obvious, but it means something may have gone wrong with your engine. Take it to Autozone and have them read out any codes. Then come tell us what is up. Something may be shorting out, lose, or just approachingth eend of its life. I mean some component that is important to te engine/ignition/exhaust system. That is probably why it comes on and off intermitently.

Best of luck. Make sure you get it checked out.

[mike_e36]

It is probably a good idea to get your car looked at, but before you take it anywhere you should take a look at your air filter, something may be dirty, or something may have clogged it up and starved you engine of air.

*a good idea to check it out though just in case.

[tomctx]

Originally posted by BMWfiend@May 2 2005, 02:54 PM
I was driving down the road and my check engine light came on and started flashing - then my computer lights where dimming in and out.

Then it went off. Went on for about 5 minutes.

Seems fine now. Anyone know what this means?

[snapback]340140[/snapback]

did it say "check engine" or just "check". They mean totally different things. "Check engine" needs a scan tool. "Check" light, you should be able to push the check button on the OBC and it will tell you what has happened.
OBC= On Board Computer.

[RIBEMR26]

Check Engine light blinking is more serious than a constant light.

[///Matt]

The flashing light indicates that the problem is occuring now, and that the data recieved is outside of the car's acceptable limits. I am suprised that the light went off afterwards. An OBD scanner will clear it up. Likely it is air intake or an O2 sensor which got a faulty read. Have it scanned.