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Check engine light flashes 3 times, then goes off?

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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 07:28 AM
  #1  
DailyDriver2k5's Avatar
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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.
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 07:39 AM
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might be rotor is not balance, only happen when high speed. also might be apex seal is gone.
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 07:52 AM
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expo1's Avatar
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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.
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 07:58 AM
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Originally Posted by theboy
might be rotor is not balance, only happen when high speed. also might be apex seal is gone.
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...
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 08:45 AM
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brillo's Avatar
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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.
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 09:02 AM
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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.
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 11:32 AM
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DailyDriver2k5's Avatar
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Originally Posted by expo1
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.

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! 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.
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 12:35 PM
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nycgps's Avatar
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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.
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 01:00 PM
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zoom44's Avatar
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Originally Posted by theboy
might be rotor is not balance, only happen when high speed. also might be apex seal is gone.

there is no cel meant to indicate any of that.
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Old Aug 10, 2006 | 01:11 PM
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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
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Old Aug 14, 2006 | 11:30 PM
  #11  
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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.........
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