Flashing CEL after cold start
 

Hello all. It was -18 degrees out today when I tried to remotely start my 96 L. It wanted to go but sputtered and failed about 3 times. So I went outside to start it with the key and had to give it some gas for about the first 15-30 seconds to keep it going. After that it was able to stay running on its own, so I let it run for about 10-15 minutes and went back outside. I found a flashing Check Engine Light waiting for me.

Some background info:
I have about a quarter tank of gas (which usually means at least 6 gallons)
I have had O2 sensor #3 codes about 3 or 4 times in the past 3 or 4 thousand miles.
I also have a bad front passenger side wheel bearing which started making noise about 2-3 weeks ago.

Its supposed to get to -30 degrees tonight so I don't really want to go outside to pull the codes, but I thought I would get a jump on it if anyone here had some thoughts. Thank you in advance.

Re: Flashing CEL after cold start
 

Maybe the svx didn't enjoy the temps :P

What was the check engine light for?

Re: Flashing CEL after cold start
 

96's have to be scanned with an OBD-II reader...... a flashing MIL usually means a bad misfire.

Re: Flashing CEL after cold start
 

I've made a mistake once before where I've left 1 of the 2 diagnostic wires plugged into the connector that you use to check for codes. If you've recently checked for codes and left the wire till plugged into the connector, that maybe the culprit.

It says in the manual not to start your engine with the diagnostic wire plugged into the connector but it doesn't say the car won't start... It will start and just keep flashing.

Jordan.

Re: Flashing CEL after cold start
 

While this is true, his car is a 96 US model which has the OBD-II. It requires a scanner to plug in to retrieve codes. Great advice though.

Re: Flashing CEL after cold start
 

The codes were P0304, P0305, and P0306. Cylinder 4, 5, and 6 misfires. I cleared the codes and have started the car several times now that the temperature is above 0. The check engine light has not come back on so far. Should I be scared?

Re: Flashing CEL after cold start
 

You report that the engine sputtered and ran badly when it was first started. At that point there could have been misfiring which later became normal. As a result a misfiring would have been recorded in memory to be disclosed later.

The actual cause will be difficult to pin point. Nothing indicates that you should be scared, much less overly concerned. :D