Intermittent Check Engine Light?

[REMIX]

I have a week-old, new to me, 2015 5.0 with 28k miles. It's a CPO car.

Yesterday I jumped in the car after it had been sitting for about 90 minutes and when I got out on the main road, I noticed the vehicle was a little hesitant to accelerate. It wasn't bad, and just barely noticeable. I saw the CEL blinking for about 20-30 seconds as I was driving and then it just disappeared. Continued to drive the car around for about an hour doing errands, and the light never came back. I have the full Bluelink subscription and received no alerts at all (I think it's supposed to send an email if something is actually wrong).

Anyone else ever see this? Wondering if this is something I need to be concerned about. Kind of freaks me out - coming from a Toyota Prius that thing was rock solid over 108k miles.

 

[EdP]

I have a week-old, new to me, 2015 5.0 with 28k miles. It's a CPO car.

Yesterday I jumped in the car after it had been sitting for about 90 minutes and when I got out on the main road, I noticed the vehicle was a little hesitant to accelerate. It wasn't bad, and just barely noticeable. I saw the CEL blinking for about 20-30 seconds as I was driving and then it just disappeared. Continued to drive the car around for about an hour doing errands, and the light never came back. I have the full Bluelink subscription and received no alerts at all (I think it's supposed to send an email if something is actually wrong).

Anyone else ever see this? Wondering if this is something I need to be concerned about. Kind of freaks me out - coming from a Toyota Prius that thing was rock solid over 108k miles.

Go to a place like Advanced Auto and have them check for codes. Or any decent shop or your dealer. Have you checked the gas cap? Did you recently fill up? That is a common cause of CEL

 

[REMIX]

I have to fill up today, Ed. Will double check that the cap clicks a few times. I had a Dodge Ram which eventually needed a gas cap replacement for the same reasons. I probably should invest in an OBDII reader, I think basic ones are like $40. Do you know where the port is on these models? I think it's usually under the driver's dash.

 

[pmckechnie]

OBD2 port is in the dash fuse block right at your left knee when setting in the drivers seat. Remove the cover and you will see the port at the bottom of the opening.

 

[REMIX]

Thanks guys. Ordering a bluetooth OBDII adapter right now.

 

[carguy75]

I have a week-old, new to me, 2015 5.0 with 28k miles. It's a CPO car.

Yesterday I jumped in the car after it had been sitting for about 90 minutes and when I got out on the main road, I noticed the vehicle was a little hesitant to accelerate. It wasn't bad, and just barely noticeable. I saw the CEL blinking for about 20-30 seconds as I was driving and then it just disappeared. Continued to drive the car around for about an hour doing errands, and the light never came back. I have the full Bluelink subscription and received no alerts at all (I think it's supposed to send an email if something is actually wrong).

Anyone else ever see this? Wondering if this is something I need to be concerned about. Kind of freaks me out - coming from a Toyota Prius that thing was rock solid over 108k miles.

It has a CPO warranty that you paid extra for, so just take it back to dealer that sold it to you to see why you are having a CEL light flash on and off. Even if it is nothing , the service visit will be logged just in case it happens again to minimize the return trips if the fault is reoccurring.

 

[EdP]

I have to fill up today, Ed. Will double check that the cap clicks a few times..

You only get 1 click with the cap.

 

[REMIX]

Put about 60 miles on it today, lots of shutting the engine off and restarts. Nothing. If I see it again, it's going in.

 

[glennk]

Or, you can swing by AutoZone and have them read the codes for you. It's free.

 

[waz]

Are you sure it was the CEL and not the traction control light?

When you accelerated a tire may have lost traction for a moment.

BTW, there is a lag between pushing the gas pedal and accelerating when you're in Eco or Normal drive modes, which bugs the crap out of me, so I tend to keep it in Sport mode around town.

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[celltech]

Lot of possible variables here... The cheap bluetooth OBD readers work great with the Torque app. It's kinda fun at first to see what all your car is doing. Just look for codes, put in some good gas and keep looking for it. My 5.0 has never done anything like that. But I will agree the traction control really cuts it off when it does happen to kick in.

 

[REMIX]

Thanks for the info, guys. I'm betting the gas cap. Haven't seen the light again since. I've put about 175 miles on it in all kinds of driving. <shrugs>