cel flashing only when accellerating?

[ejkz]

just cleaned out my EGR and reset the cel. Everything was great for about 20 start-ups but now my CEL is flashing ONLY when I accellerate. Maybe the fuel filter needs changing? Open to any suggestions....Thanks

[marcre]

go get the codes read, you don't want to drive the vehicle with the CEL flashing. It's not good for it. A flashing CEL is probably not from a bad fuel filter.

[Ramblin Fever]

Flashing CEL is a misfire, usually. How old are your spark plugs?

[ejkz]

I can't remember, but I'm sure they could stand changing. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't d/t the fuel sending unit, which I just changed, or the EGR I just took out and cleaned. Those three codes ( 1 for the FSU and 2 for the EGR) were the only ones that came up when I had it read. You're probably right. Today I had no cel at all, but yesterday it was flashing upon accelleration. Now that I think of it, it did feel a bit "chuggy" yesterday. I'll go ahead and change the plugs. Can't hurt. Thanks for all your help.

[ejkz]

I really appreciate all the help from ya'll on this forum. It's this girl's best friend lately!

[Ramblin Fever]

Not sure what year of Rodeo you have, but do some research here as to which plugs are best suited for your year. IIRC the '00 and up years are picky about their plugs.

I'm using NGK in my '97 Rodeo.

Just stay away from Bosch plugs for one.

When you're done with your plugs, clean out your throttle body (can do this without disassembling it) along with your intake air duct tube, this will help the EGR breath better.

[kdiz13]

Hey I searched all over the internet to find an answer...the same thing was happening to ours. After a complete engine rebuild and finally getting the 00' passport back on the road the CEL started flashing only upon accelerating. The answers online run the full gamut from simple fixes to looming catastrophic failure. One suggestion to fix this that I read online sounded too easy not to try---THE GAS CAP! Well, although I figured this had to be too good to be true...when I went out to check it, mine was super loose. Took it for a test drive and NO MORE FLASHING CEL!!! So far so good! Hope that helps! If yours is loose, make a point to tighten it until it clicks several times. If it works but continues to happen down the road the seal on the gas cap may be weakened and you could always try buying an after market cap with a better seal. If that doesn't help other things that I read online to check/clean the IAC, EGR, as well as the spark plugs and coils. I also read to have the O2 sensor and Catalytic Converter checked. However, hopefully the gas cap will work for you as well.