Everything breaks on a Saturday...
07-14-2018, 09:19 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Everything breaks on a Saturday...
This morning I drove out to a friends house (about 60 miles) and everything appeared normal. On my way home, I noticed that the fuel economy was oddly low. Normally for a 60 mile drive I sit somewhere in the 23-24 mpg range. About halfway home I looked at the display and it showed 16.8 mpg, but aside from the readout everything seemed normal. When I took my exit I hit a stoplight and the idle was very rough and bouncy. When the light turned green and I accelerated, the car stuttered slightly and the CEL flashed and finally went solid. I live about half a mile from the exit so I drove home and parked, and I’ll bring the car in on Monday. My guess is a bad spark plug, but maybe I’m wrong.
I domt see see it being related, but yesterday I replaced one of the headlamp bulbs. Everything went smoothly (except the price of the bulb), so I doubt that’s related, but timing is everything. Any ideas what’s going on?
I domt see see it being related, but yesterday I replaced one of the headlamp bulbs. Everything went smoothly (except the price of the bulb), so I doubt that’s related, but timing is everything. Any ideas what’s going on?
07-15-2018, 12:34 AM
#2
Super Member
Most likely one of the ignition coils has failed.Sometimes it will fail intermittently and everything will appear normal the nest time you start the engine. It will eventually fail completely. Take your car to a mechanic who has a code reader which should identify which coil is failing. It is safe to drive if it starts up normally or as long as the check engine light is on solid and not blinking.
07-15-2018, 10:09 AM
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks, Steve. My biggest worry was that further damage may have been done during the drive home, but it sounds like that's probably not the case. The CEL flashed when it initially went on, but went solid after 2 or 3 flashes. I'm bringing it in on Monday with fingers crossed.
