CEL light blinking and rough idle (long read/background)
 

yes I searched but after going through about 15 threads I came up with nothing. My car has been sitting in the garage since november of last year (winter storage. I would start it up on a weekly basis letting the battery recharge and not shutting it off until the engine was completely warmed up (sitting dead center of temp gage). I would then rev it to about 3.5-4k 2-3 pumps and power it off to clear the bullets. I tried starting it today and when firing up, took a bit to turn over and idles EXTREMELY rough. smoking extremely bad and the CEL began blinking. I tried powering it off and firing it back up and same thing. When giving it a bit of gas it feels like it has no power when trying to push it up to the 2k rpm area. I then refered to manual for a few recommendations (besides sending it to the dealer) to see what it may be:

Coolant - check
Oil - check
gas level and gas cap on tight- check

What do you guys think it could be? I have 1/4 tank of gas, and when I stored it back in November I put gas stabilizer in the tank (so dont think its stale gas :dunno:). I have no coverage on it right now so cant take it to autozone to try and pull the code and the way its running I am afraid I will f*ck something up driving it anywhere anyhow. the car had the oil changed back in August and has only 400 miles on that change, but sitting so long not sure if thats a problem (being of course it is recommended to have an oil change at 3k or 3 months and am well passed 3 months). car hasnt had 30k maintenance yet as im just at 30,181 and figured that was going to be the first place I take er when I pull her out of storage. TIA!

**late note: and being I just hit the 30k mark and havent done that maintenance it is still original plugs and wires (since I got the car at 17k, im guessing they are yet to be changed).

I am not an expert first off.

It's been sitting about 4 months right? I think I would disconnect the battery for 15 minutes, then I'd start it and if I could keep it running then I would take it easy but go get a full tank of gas. Then I'd head over to Autozone to get the code read. It's possible that it could just be needing to be run.

30k doesn't mean you must change the plugs and/or wires and there's no real problem with the oil being in there that long, if it's only 400 miles on that oil, it's probably okay. I think the car just needs to be run. I wouln't redline it and I would go get the code read, then we can help more.

ill work on that tomorrow.. go get a fresh tank of gas and run her on the highway.. i have only taken her around the block twice 2 weeks ago, other than that just sat. but going around a residential block aint really an opportunity to let er rip and clear out any buildup.

Don't rip on it right away. It hasn't been run at any speed for a long time, so take it easy at first. Good luck.

another note.. was going for gas and test at autozone today when I fired it up its all white smoke rolling from exhaust and just smells of pure gas burning, no oil smell to it...

called and talked to a family friend we ride with who works for Crippen Mazda in lansing area and with his over the phone diagnosis (which obviously isnt a 100% diagnosis), it sounds like i might be joining the new motor club at 30182. He said it sounds like im running on 1 rotor with the stuff I have experienced.

white smoke, rough idle (sounds like a farming tractor), and the CEL its throwing. again, not a 100% diagnosis since it is over the phone and didnt actually see the car. but being the coolant and antifreeze are both at fine levels, that is usually the next thing on the list with symptoms..

good thing i picked up that extended warranty, 2004 with ONLY 30k :\

she's being towed to the mazda dealer tomorrow :crying:

Good luck! Hope she doesn't feel too much pain.:tear:

My car does the same thing, hard to start then really rough idle, flashing cel, and lots of smoke til it's warmed up. Then it drives fine....

+1

I'm going to get a set of new wires to try to fix the issue.

Blinking cel means it's a misfire. A clogged cat can definitely cause this. Starting and shutting it off without it being driven will eventually clog the cat.