In an effort to break in the BOSS which now has 250 miles, I've been varying the RPM's, trying not to keep it at one engine speed for any prolonged period. On the way down to Monterey this weekend I had approx 130 miles and was working my way up the RPM "scale" and briefly held it at 5,000 for about 5-10 seconds when I saw a yellow flash at the bottom of the speedo. It was nighttime, so it caught my attention, but then it was gone.

Today, at 250 miles I was winding it up and got to 4,500, left it there for a few seconds, and then went up to 5,000, leaving it there for 5 seconds or so...and again, the Check Engine symbol came on...but didn't go away. It just kept flashing on and off for about 10 seconds, and then went away. What's up with this?

Engine is at normal operating temp, oil level is fine...... is this something that they just "do"?

 

That's strange. I would like to know what code is stored in it.

 

Somewhere at home is an OBD II "meter" on a shelf. Guess I can read the directions and plug it in to the car.....or do I stand a chance of erasing the code so FORD won't see what it is

 

Should be ok. It will ask you if you want to clear codes. Just don't do that. Just do a generic obdII scan. Really curious what it says.

 

It should have stored a code in the memory. I would go get the codes read. When the engine light flashes its a more serious problem that can damage the engine. when it stays constantly illuminated its usually a sensor issue. But when it flashes its detecting something more damaging then just a sensor. Like dead missfire, air to fuel ratio way off. Something in that nature.

 

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**** al. Beating me to it lol. Took to long to type...

 

Usually a 'blinking' or pop up CEL indicates a missfire...

Take it to the dealer

 

OK, but if the blinking stops, does that mean the condition is only occurring when the light is blinking? So It's OK to drive it...just don't leave it at "high" RPM ?

I've got 100 miles to get home. I don't want to get it towed!

 

CEL is a "yellow" color (RED colors are used to show serious problems- like an overheat) so while it's disturbing I don't think it's serious. I think with all the various sensors and other safeguards in today's modern engines your car would go into limp mode if it was serious.

You can throw a CEL just from refueling your car. I wouldn't lose sleep over it.

 

Correct. It only flashes when the condition is present. Just take it easy on your drive home

 

Refueling will not make the light flash.

 

Thanks. I'll look for the OBD II device when I get home, read the directions, and then plug it into the "port."

Is the port under the dash on the drivers side?

 

Yes. 16 pin connector.

 

Got it...Thanks I'll post later when I read the code

 

Port is under driver side. This car does have a propensity for codes. If it was a flashing CEL and it's gone, there's a better than even chance you won't find a DTC. Never had a car before that generated CELs that cleared themself. If it's gone and you didn't go into limp mode you are fine to drive it.

 

This is not true, a flashing CEL indicates an active issue that should be a dressed immediately. Continuing to drive the car with a flashing light can and will eventually cause damage. As said earlier, a flashing CEL often has ties to a misfire condition.

What code are you getting?

 

Did anyone else have to look up propensity? Codes also don't clear themselves until many complete drive cycles without a fault. If they clear at all. The light may go off but the code is still there.

 

The dtc will be there. The pcm stores the codes along with freeze frame data when the code appeared

 

Ya gotta read what I said. I said even refueling can throw a CEL, I didn't say anything about blinking.