# engine light **URL:** \ **Category:** PittSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [November 24, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427 "2005-11-24T18:06:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mp3ray](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mp3ray/32/5994_2.png) [@mp3ray](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mp3ray)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/1 "2005-11-24T18:06:32Z")
So my engine light comes on today, no biggie right? Just an emissions thing… well i have never had the engine light blink before… Then when I pull off to the gas station, my car is shaking, like it is going to stall. So I run it for a few minutes with the gas cap off, nada. I look up in the book to see what blinking means - it’s not listed. fyi, I have a 98 Acura (LS). I am going to AutoZone tomorrow b/c I hear they do a free engine check or something… Does any one have any guidance that can help? I am kinda 500 miles from my mechanic at this point ☹ ---
**Author:** ![dalifts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@dalifts](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dalifts)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 6:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/2 "2005-11-24T18:31:00Z")
could be bringing up a missfire. Which would make it shake like that and kick on engine light. I can scann it for free. ---
**Author:** ![mp3ray](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mp3ray/32/5994_2.png) [@mp3ray](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mp3ray)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 6:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/3 "2005-11-24T18:34:23Z")
I am up in Zelienople, where is Bridgeville? ---
**Author:** ![dalifts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@dalifts](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dalifts)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/4 "2005-11-24T18:40:30Z")
Right near the golden cue. Like 3 blocks from destinta, Kmart. And one block from the Bridgeville police station ---
**Author:** ![dalifts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@dalifts](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dalifts)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/5 "2005-11-24T18:40:53Z")
oh lol sorry. Its near carnegie ---
**Author:** ![mp3ray](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mp3ray/32/5994_2.png) [@mp3ray](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mp3ray)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 6:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/6 "2005-11-24T18:41:23Z")
Golden Cue? what is that? ha ha Bridgeville is South of Pittsburgh? ---
**Author:** ![dalifts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@dalifts](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dalifts)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 6:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/7 "2005-11-24T18:41:35Z")
Here’s the zip … Bridgeville pa 15017. Look at mapquest. Baldwin street is the shop location ---
**Author:** ![mp3ray](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mp3ray/32/5994_2.png) [@mp3ray](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mp3ray)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 6:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/8 "2005-11-24T18:45:09Z")
ahh, i got it. That may be a little far, esp when autozone can also hook me up for free and they are a few miles away. But thank you SOOO much for the offer. If I were closer I would take you up. Also, thank you for the guess of what it might be. that puts me a little more at ease 🙂 You rock 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dalifts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@dalifts](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dalifts)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/9 "2005-11-24T18:47:28Z")
Its kool. I figured it would be sorta far. But if u need any parts . I can get a good discount from napa and Honda. ---
**Author:** ![mp3ray](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mp3ray/32/5994_2.png) [@mp3ray](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mp3ray)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 6:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/10 "2005-11-25T06:13:38Z")
^ true huh… I will check out autozone today and figure out what to do ☹ ---
**Author:** ![wagner](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/wagner/32/6004_2.png) [@wagner](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/wagner)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 7:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/11 "2005-11-25T07:33:51Z")
Well if it’s blinking it means you have a misfire for sure. Light on steady = emission related problem, blinking light = engine misfire stop driving. On OBDII Acuras you can still get the computer to blink out the trouble code for you. Here’s a link that can walk you through it. Were they mention a special Acura tool you use a paper clip. Good luck. Oh yeah, by the way don’t run your car with the gas cap off it will just throw another code not fix the problem. [www.iequus.com/assets/manuals/3173\_ICCR\_E\_14JAN03.pdf](http://www.iequus.com/assets/manuals/3173_ICCR_E_14JAN03.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![Dominator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a4c791/32.png) [@Dominator](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dominator)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 10:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/12 "2005-11-25T10:08:06Z")
^ yep, blinking means that your in danger of harming other components. Misfiring and sending lots of raw fuel into you cats will overheat them and the will fall apart. Drive minimally ---
**Author:** ![mp3ray](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mp3ray/32/5994_2.png) [@mp3ray](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mp3ray)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 10:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/13 "2005-11-25T10:22:51Z")
ok, so i have to drive it to get someone to read the code right? So then they tell me a code and I have to go find a mechanic today? ugh, i hate cars… ---
**Author:** ![Sinner6.0L](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sinner6.0l/32/6016_2.png) [@Sinner6.0L](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sinner6.0L)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/14 "2005-11-25T20:14:12Z")
Check your plug wires, make sure none are loose or cracked. Then I’d pull plugs and change before taking it to a mechanic. Like everyone said flashing ses means misfires. The code should be a P030x, x being the cylinder # the miss occured in. Wait, I’m not sure if what I said was GM specific or not, just get it scanned. :nuts: ---
**Author:** ![mp3ray](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mp3ray/32/5994_2.png) [@mp3ray](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mp3ray)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 10:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/15 "2005-11-26T10:22:10Z")
well here is the 411… I took it to a mechanic, who thought it was the spark plugs, but upon further inspection, that wasn’t it. So as of right now, he is letting it cool off completely before checking some valve thing. So he said it’s either a valve thing and i may not be able to get it fixed until Monday (I was suppose to drive back to CT today) Or he said, worst case senario I need a new engine. He said he has never seen a Honda/Acura need a new engine with a misfire, but he isn’t sure until he checks some vavle thing. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![fshowcars](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fshowcars/32/5937_2.png) [@fshowcars](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fshowcars)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 10:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/16 "2005-11-26T10:28:05Z")
ifyou drove it there, you don’t need a new engine! egr valve? ---
**Author:** ![Converted2LSX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/converted2lsx/32/5962_2.png) [@Converted2LSX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Converted2LSX)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 10:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/17 "2005-11-26T10:42:49Z")
> [@mp3ray](#): > > well here is the 411… > > I took it to a mechanic, who thought it was the spark plugs, but upon further inspection, that wasn’t it. So as of right now, he is letting it cool off completely before checking some valve thing. So he said it’s either a valve thing and i may not be able to get it fixed until Monday (I was suppose to drive back to CT today) > > Or he said, worst case senario I need a new engine. He said he has never seen a Honda/Acura need a new engine with a misfire, but he isn’t sure until he checks some vavle thing. ☹ Im taking it that he means Valve Lash. Problems with that are more common on the VTEC engines. It usually creates a loss in power not a misfire. Since you car is an 98 you have the OBD2 system which even intermittent problems (engine light flashing on and off) are stored in the ECU. You might have to take it to the dealer cuz they might have the only software to read it. Usually worse case scenario is you need a new distributor. Since it houses the crank position sensor. Have your mechanic take the distributor cap off and look for an orangish dust. Usually makes it when the distributor is failing. Chances are its just something stupid ---
**Author:** ![Converted2LSX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/converted2lsx/32/5962_2.png) [@Converted2LSX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Converted2LSX)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 10:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/18 "2005-11-26T10:45:11Z")
another thing is it could be the headgasket. did you happen to catch a sweet smell while you were driving it? or has the car been eating coolant? ---
**Author:** ![mp3ray](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mp3ray/32/5994_2.png) [@mp3ray](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mp3ray)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 11:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/19 "2005-11-26T11:01:46Z")
Well i do need a new head gasket, a few mechanics have told me that one. I couldn’t tell you if the car is eating coolant or not though. Although I love this advice. I am going to print this out and tell my mechanic about this. You guys rock!! ---
**Author:** ![Converted2LSX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/converted2lsx/32/5962_2.png) [@Converted2LSX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Converted2LSX)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 11:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427/20 "2005-11-26T11:16:28Z")
> [@mp3ray](#): > > Well i do need a new head gasket, a few mechanics have told me that one. I couldn’t tell you if the car is eating coolant or not though. Although I love this advice. I am going to print this out and tell my mechanic about this. You guys rock!! in that case do a compression test, should give you your answer on the headgasket if its a problem or not [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/engine-light/178427.md?page=2)