Engine light flashing when I accelerate

[mattbro210]

Hi all! I’ve got a 2015 expy with 104k miles. As I accelerated onto the freeway on-ramp tonight, the engine began to stutter and the engine light started blinking on and off. I eased of the gas, maintained speed until I could pull off at the next exit. I pulled into a parking lot and just drove around at 10/15 mph for a minute trying to listen to the engine but I couldn’t hear anything out of the ordinary. Another minute and the light stopped blinking and stayed off. I drove the rest of the way home without issues or blinking lights. Is this an early sign of a common issue with the eco boost turbo or the drivetrain? Any suggestions, troubleshooting tips or next steps are appreciated.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Hi all! I’ve got a 2015 expy with 104k miles. As I accelerated onto the freeway on-ramp tonight, the engine began to stutter and the engine light started blinking on and off. I eased of the gas, maintained speed until I could pull off at the next exit. I pulled into a parking lot and just drove around at 10/15 mph for a minute trying to listen to the engine but I couldn’t hear anything out of the ordinary. Another minute and the light stopped blinking and stayed off. I drove the rest of the way home without issues or blinking lights. Is this an early sign of a common issue with the eco boost turbo or the drivetrain? Any suggestions, troubleshooting tips or next steps are appreciated.

You experienced a severe engine misfire, which was indicated by the flashing check-engine light.

Driving with the light flashing can quickly damage the engine and/or other components of the power train and exhaust (think catalytic converters).

You will have to have the vehicle scanned to determine what trouble code(s) are set, to begin the diagnosis.

 

[Fastcar]

I'm thinking a failing cat. Get it scanned quickly.

 

[Don Hall]

From a Google search...... confirming as posted by 99WhiteC5Coupe above:

"If the check engine light happened to be flashing during these episodes of acceleration, that means there is a serious fault, such as cylinder misfiring, that requires immediate repair."

 

[PSD Bullitt]

The flashing engine light has happened on several occasions to my sister’s 2015. It goes into limp mode and drives home. A scan always indicating the throttle body sensor is at fault. We remove it, clean it, and it runs fine for 6 or more months before it does it again.

The flashing engine light and going into limp mode could be a serious problem but not necessarily. Get it scanned for free at an Autozone or O’Reillys and you might be able to fix it on your own

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

The flashing engine light has happened on several occasions to my sister’s 2015. It goes into limp mode and drives home. A scan always indicating the throttle body sensor is at fault. We remove it, clean it, and it runs fine for 6 or more months before it does it again.

The flashing engine light and going into limp mode could be a serious problem but not necessarily. Get it scanned for free at an Autozone or O’Reillys and you might be able to fix it on your own

Ford issued a TSB regarding defective a throttle body for the 2015 - 2017 Ecodboost engines that cause the engine to lose power and go into limp mode (I don’t have a copy to post). If a specific code was set, it directed the dealer to replace the throttle body with an updated part.

You may want to replace the throttle body on your sister’s vehicle.

 

[Trainmaster]

A flashing light usually indicates a miss. Have the plugs ever been changed?

 

[JasonH]

A flashing light usually indicates a miss. Have the plugs ever been changed?

I agree. I experienced this while towing. Went away after changing plugs. Pull the code and check for misfire code. By all accounts, the Ecoboost is hard on plugs and they're done well before 100k.

 

[justinp16ex]

I also just recently had some misfiring while towing up a grade or heavy throttle. Checked the code at O'Reilly's, cylinder one misfire. Pulled the plug, there was a crack in the ceramic. New plug solved the problem. Hopefully an easy fix to your issue. If you didn't go into limp mode I wouldn't suspect the throttle body.

 

[CAKD07]

Heed all the responses above. I had this with my '05 Expy. First thing get the codes checked to narrow down he issue. Probably a misfire on one or more cylinders and/or a bad cat. I was told by a good shop if you get 100k on them you're lucky. If you haven't already replace the plugs, coils, and boots on all cylinders, especially if you plan on keeping it. I did that as well as the cats and mine ran for another 150K.

 

[mattbro210]

Thanks all for the input. After a long weekend full of smoked turkey and football games, I took it to the auto parts store this morning. Cylinders 1 and 4 are misfiring. Nothing in the report for the throttle body and cat, but I will have my mechanic look at both of those further when we replace the plugs. I will likely replace the coils and boots as suggested too. Thanks again.

 

[John D]

Just start with the plugs. The coils are expensive and the Ford parts guy at my local dealer told me they rarely replace those. I had same exact experience as you on my 2016 and new plugs solved it.

 

[Don Hall]

Just start with the plugs. The coils are expensive and the Ford parts guy at my local dealer told me they rarely replace those. I had same exact experience as you on my 2016 and new plugs solved it.

Good suggestion!

 

[Trainmaster]

As John says, no need to replace a coil unless it's found to be faulty. The boots should be replaced with all the plugs.

There's nothing wrong with your converter or throttle body.

 

[Goofy173]

Depends on the mileage and how much you like to throw money at it over time. If ya got the money, do the coils. I hate changing single coils as needed, and if you use a mechanic for coils, over time it adds up a lot higher $$$ than just doing all coils at once. I just got tired of changing coils one here, one there, on both of my 5.4s. Finally replaced all of them on both and I haven't had a coil problem for 4 years.

My gf's Versa was the same way. And getting the plastic intake off of it was hell just to access plugs/coils 1-3.

 

[Trainmaster]

I just got tired of changing coils one here, one there, on both of my 5.4s.

I've had just the opposite experience. In well over 500,000 miles of driving these old Fords, I've only changed one or two coils. Maybe it's the environment or heat or something that is different with yours. I find the OEM Ford coils last almost forever. The cheap aftermarket ones though are another story. Some of them are good, some of them bad. Anyone's guess with them it seems.