Why is My Audi’s Check Engine Light Flashing?
The check engine light in your car is possibly one of the most stress-inducing tools available to you. It’s essential, as it’s important to know when something is going wrong, but when it comes on it’s hard to not panic. How are you supposed to know if it’s a minor issue that can wait a bit, or something that needs immediate attention?
At SJM Autowerks, we specialize in Audi diagnostics and repairs, so we can say with certainty — if your Audi’s check engine light is flashing, it absolutely should not be ignored.
What does a flashing check engine light mean?
While a check engine light is always something to pay attention to, when it’s steady, it usually signals a less urgent issue. On the other hand, a flashing check engine light usually indicates a serious problem. Continuing to drive with a flashing check engine light can mean doing further damage to your engine and possibly other components like your transmission or exhaust system.
Some common causes of a flashing check engine light include:
- Engine Misfire: This is the most common cause of a flashing check engine light is a misfire, which means the air-fuel mixture in one of the cylinders did not ignite properly. This can be caused by a number of things, like fuel delivery issues or bad spark plugs or ignition coils.
- Fuel Injector Problems: The fuel injector is responsible for getting the right amount of fuel to each cylinder, so if one is clogged or malfunctioning, it can lead to a misfire. This can also lead to poor engine performance or hesitation when you try to accelerate.
- Catalytic Converter Damage: This essential part of your Audi’s emission system helps prevent harmful emissions. If your car is experiencing multiple misfires, it can make unburned fuel enter the exhaust system, which can damage the catalytic converter.
- Oxygen Sensor Issues: The oxygen sensor is another part that helps monitor the fuel-air mixture in your car, so if it fails it can make your engine run either too rich or too lean. This will lead to poor performance and will eventually cause a check engine light.
What should you do when your Audi’s check engine light is flashing?
If the check engine light in your Audi isn’t just on, but flashing, that means it needs immediate attention and may be unsafe to continue driving. We recommend pulling over in a safe location as soon as possible to prevent further engine damage. You should also pay attention to any potential symptoms, like rough idling, reduced power, or weird noises, as this is great information to pass on to your mechanic to help with a quick diagnosis.
Once you’ve gotten somewhere safe, schedule a diagnostic check as soon as possible with a trusted shop. Trained service technicians will be able to use advanced diagnostic tools and years of experience to determine exactly what’s causing your check engine light to flash. Until you can get to a mechanic, it’s important to avoid driving until the issue is fixed, so that you don’t do more damage.
Bring Your Audi to SJM Autowerks
At SJM Autowerks, we specialize in diagnosing and repairing Audis like yours, and bring years of experience to the table so you can always trust that we know what we’re talking about. Our technicians are experts in Audi’s systems, and we use state of the art diagnostic tools to diagnose what’s going on with your car quickly and accurately. Whether it’s a small issue like a failing spark plug or something bigger like the catalytic converter, we’ll figure it out and let you know what repairs you need to get back on the road safely.
If your Audi’s check engine light is flashing, don’t put off dealing with it — doing so can mean paying much more in repairs after more damage is done. This warning light means there’s a serious problem, and we’re here to help you uncover what it might be and provide the expert repairs you need to get back on the road safely as soon as possible. Call or stop by today to learn more about how we can help get your Audi in peak shape.