Check engine light flashes 3 times, then goes off?
 

This morning on the way to work, i got into some spirited driving. Never went pass 9,100 rpms, but noticed my check engine light flashed three times then went off. Drove normal , went to the gas station , filled up, continued on my way to work , the engine light stayed off. Car has 18k miles on it, and is a 2005.

Has this happen to anybody else or know of the cause for the engine light to flash 3 times, thanks.

might be rotor is not balance, only happen when high speed. also might be apex seal is gone.

Happened to me at the TRACK.

I blame high RPM'S, elevation changes, less than 1/4 tank of fuel. Dealer thought it was a misfire do to fuel starvation, changed the plugs and never drive hard with low fuel. No CEL's since.

Holy pessimist! Probably scared the crap out the poster... I think I would pursue Expo1's direction instead of this reactionary one. You might be right but I highly doubt it. A CEL does not equal major engine failure.

I had one the other day because of a blown fuse...

its most like a misfire code, if everything else feels fine currently. Its happened to me once. I seriously doubt its anything catostrophic. If it happens again, take it to the dealer, you could have a coil pack issue.

We had that happen to a couple of us at the track. In the case of a single misfire, it blinks a few times and goes out; for more than one misfire, it stays on until cleared. Some reported that they can clear the CEL with 3 good (calm) driving cycles.

Note that a misfire is not the only reason you might get a CEL. If it stays on, see the dealer ASAP.

You know that might be it, on my route this morning, they had to change the traffic patterns over a few rolling hills. In the process, i did have a little less than a 1/4 of a tank , that was the point where i was getting a lead foot(9,100rpm), plus the lanes swooped left from right and back again on these hills. Wow,All of that could have set it off! :Eyecrazy: Crazy!

I guess that was the problem because i just came back from lunch and no CEL. Ran it hard , and no flashing CEL light, full tank too.


Thanks guys for your input. :ylsuper:

When the engine misfire, thats what you're going to see. (flash 3 times) if keeps happening then u have ALOT of misfire. but if it goes off then u should be fine.

there is no cel meant to indicate any of that.

Had this same thing happen to me when I had around 2k miles on the car or so. I punched it in first then slowly redlined second and got a flashing cel but it went off after 3 or so flashes. Can't remember if the tank was low or not though. I think it was below half but closer to the 1/4

yea ive had a blinkin cel thats usually associated with a misfire.......could be plugs startin to foul, which could happen at 18k, could also be bad ignition coils, if anything go tell mazda dealership problem u had, n request they replace spark plugs n ignition coils........that should take care of the problem.........