Can I drive with a flashing check-engine light?
A flashing malfunction indicator commonly signals a catalyst-damaging active misfire. Reduce load, stop safely, and arrange diagnosis rather than continuing normal driving.
Plausible causes
- Active ignition misfire
- Fuel delivery or mixture fault
- Mechanical compression problem
Useful next checks
- Do not clear codes before reading freeze-frame data
- Record load, RPM, temperature, and cylinder codes
- Tow when severe running symptoms are present
Related OBD codes
Sources and method
This answer provides hypotheses and a verification plan, not a component verdict. Exact repair procedures require authoritative service information for the specific vehicle.
NHTSA vPIC Vehicle APISAE J2012