Please help - Flickering MIL light, car stalling
01-Oct-2011, 06:15 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: South Shore, Nova Scoita
Posts: 3
Please help - Flickering MIL light, car stalling
Today on the highway my MIL light begin to flicker, and my engine died. A loud clicking noise could be heard coming from the passenger side in time with the light flickering. (sounded like a relay).
I pulled over and shut the car down, then turned the ignition on but did not start the engine. The flickering light and clicking continued, so I shut the ignition off and called for a tow. After about a half hour waiting for the tow truck I tried it again, no MIL and the car started and ran. I still waited for the tow truck to be safe. After the tow truck dropped the car off in my yard I started it and moved it without issue.
Haven't had a chance to look at it, had to borrow a car and get back on the road. Today was a very wet day and it was raining quite hard when it happened. I'm thinking that may have had something to do with it, as the cars been very reliable to this point, and seemed to be fine after sitting. I have a short ram intake and thought maybe it took in some water, but the filter and underhood compartment seemed dry.
Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.
I pulled over and shut the car down, then turned the ignition on but did not start the engine. The flickering light and clicking continued, so I shut the ignition off and called for a tow. After about a half hour waiting for the tow truck I tried it again, no MIL and the car started and ran. I still waited for the tow truck to be safe. After the tow truck dropped the car off in my yard I started it and moved it without issue.
Haven't had a chance to look at it, had to borrow a car and get back on the road. Today was a very wet day and it was raining quite hard when it happened. I'm thinking that may have had something to do with it, as the cars been very reliable to this point, and seemed to be fine after sitting. I have a short ram intake and thought maybe it took in some water, but the filter and underhood compartment seemed dry.
Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.
01-Oct-2011, 09:24 PM
#2
MIL = CEL ?
Taking in water creates a hydro lock that usually KO's an engine by having water in the cylinders, (liquids don't compress) and usually bends rods, among a handful of other things.( or worse)
Thus, I don't think you sucked up any water.
You could have exposed wires that rain can get into and short. Look for corrosion on wires and in your engine bay. If you think it's a relay (possible) find the relay humming and singing and replace it.
Sometimes CELs, can be nothing at all. Emissions can be one hassle culprit. CELs can clear themselves if the problem goes away. Your best bet is to get an OBD2 Reader and find your code first. then make assumtions as to what it could be.
-B
Taking in water creates a hydro lock that usually KO's an engine by having water in the cylinders, (liquids don't compress) and usually bends rods, among a handful of other things.( or worse)
Thus, I don't think you sucked up any water.
You could have exposed wires that rain can get into and short. Look for corrosion on wires and in your engine bay. If you think it's a relay (possible) find the relay humming and singing and replace it.
Sometimes CELs, can be nothing at all. Emissions can be one hassle culprit. CELs can clear themselves if the problem goes away. Your best bet is to get an OBD2 Reader and find your code first. then make assumtions as to what it could be.
-B
02-Oct-2011, 06:49 AM
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: South Shore, Nova Scoita
Posts: 3
MIL = CEL ?
Taking in water creates a hydro lock that usually KO's an engine by having water in the cylinders, (liquids don't compress) and usually bends rods, among a handful of other things.( or worse)
Thus, I don't think you sucked up any water.
You could have exposed wires that rain can get into and short. Look for corrosion on wires and in your engine bay. If you think it's a relay (possible) find the relay humming and singing and replace it.
Sometimes CELs, can be nothing at all. Emissions can be one hassle culprit. CELs can clear themselves if the problem goes away. Your best bet is to get an OBD2 Reader and find your code first. then make assumtions as to what it could be.
-B
Taking in water creates a hydro lock that usually KO's an engine by having water in the cylinders, (liquids don't compress) and usually bends rods, among a handful of other things.( or worse)
Thus, I don't think you sucked up any water.
You could have exposed wires that rain can get into and short. Look for corrosion on wires and in your engine bay. If you think it's a relay (possible) find the relay humming and singing and replace it.
Sometimes CELs, can be nothing at all. Emissions can be one hassle culprit. CELs can clear themselves if the problem goes away. Your best bet is to get an OBD2 Reader and find your code first. then make assumtions as to what it could be.
-B
The CEL is not on now, but there should be a stored history of DTCs correct?
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