Flashing check engine light

[05 LS8]

My car (2005 LS8) has been running rough lately. It also has been hesitating around 2500rpm and 4000rpm and i am pretty sure its the coils that have been causing it, from all the research i did. By the way, the car has 80,000 miles on it and i belive it still has the original coils in it. This has been going on for about two weeks and has been getting worse and finally got that flashing CEL.

Tonight i was driving back home and the check engine light started flashing for about a minute and then it stopped.

My question is, when you get a flashing check engine light, do the codes get stored in the computer even though the light already went out?

I know the coil are covered under warranty but i am not going to bring it to the dealership, since those a55 wholes scratched up my fender last time i dropped it off for a day. The mechanics were lucky to have already left when i picked the car up......

Thanks in advance.

 

[BrianDye]

I dont know much, but I have heard that when the light is flashing, to NOT drive it, becuase its severely damaging (something)

 

[05 LS8]

Thanks Brian. I parked the car and won't be driving it until i get it fixed.

 

[bxstang20000]

Yes the codes will be stored in the computers memory. I agree I wouldn't drive it with a flashing CEL don’t want to do any more damage. When you drop it off make sure they use fender covers. It’s a expensive job especially if your valve covers gaskets are shot.

 

[05 LS8]

Yes the codes will be stored in the computers memory. I agree I wouldn't drive it with a flashing CEL don’t want to do any more damage. When you drop it off make sure they use fender covers. It’s a expensive job especially if your valve covers gaskets are shot.

I appreciate your reply/input. Thank you and i will keep you posted.

 

[BrianDye]

I wish we could help some more man but now its the dealer/shops turn lol

(But about what I said: Im not sure if its true or not, but ive heard from a couple people in previous threads that when it starts flashing, damage is being done)

 

[TDUB]

The flashing cel is indicating that something is doing damage to your catalytic converters. As said before don't drive the car until you get this fixed; trust me I know from personal experience. Mine was caused by coils being bad, and since that's pretty common in these cars that would most likely be your best bet. Do you have a different Ford dealership around you? I really don't see the sense in paying an arm and a leg to replace something that Ford covers under warranty. Here's NYC's thread with some pretty helpful info on it: http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=34064

 

[rt2barbers]

Check Engine Light

My experience with the COP problem on the V-8 around 90,000 miles was that the valve cover gaskets leaked oil into the plug tunnels causing misfire. If you can do the work yourself, save yourself big bucks by just replacing the coil boots, $5 items, along with the other things......gaskets, plugs, and of course, de-oiling the plug tunnels and coils. Most likely, a shop will insist on replacing the coils to enhance profit and reduce call-back possibilities. It has been 35,000 miles since my fix with no more misfire problems and original coils. Thanks to Right on the Mark and QuickLS for their coaching!

 

[Lincoln Jealous]

CEL FLASHING Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.

 

[05 LS8]

Thanks for the input guys.

TDUB- I have extended warranty with the car too and i was gonna try to get it done through a family friend's regeistered motor vehicle shop so i don't have to pay anything and don't have to worry about some careless people working on my car. The shop is a bit of a ride and don't want to take the car for long drives so i am gonna have to drop it off at another FLM dealership and i am gonna nicely warn them to be carefully with the car and we will see what happens.

I actually have about 5 Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dearships within 15 minutes of me. I have had vehicles serviced at three out of the five and so far had bad experiences. They broke the oil dipstick on my father's truck, left the radiator completely loose and the coolant tank and put a dent on the hood top of it. They also broke the sensor that tells you if the air filter needs to be changed. The roster of broken parts go on,these are just a few.
One of the major reasons why i have always been fixing my vehicles.


R2barbers- I can pretty much do any type of work on a car besides transmissions. I don't mess with trannys. I really wanted to get it done myself but i leave for work early and come back late so won't have to time to fix it up and i need the car running asap.


LJ- I don't think i did any damage to the car(i hope so), cause once the CEL started flashing i backed off the gas pedal, dropped my speed and drove easy rest of the way home.

 

[05 LS8]

I wanted to let you guys know the car had two bad 2 coils. They said, they will be placing all 8 though. Should have the car back hopefully tomorrow.

 

[BrianDye]

Well thats good, at least it wasnt bad bad news like you needed a new engine or something