the other day going to the azine meet in charlotte, my cel started flashing for maybe 5 seconds then turned off. i never got this car above 5500 rpms before just to try to be easy on it. that was the first time i did and that happened. few people told me it was misfiring. are they right? i dont know for sure if the timing has been done on it but considedring getting it done anyways just in case. replaced the plugs about 3,000 miles ago. its only when i redline that it flashes. my buddys tl does the same thing. any opions/recommendations?

 

A flashing CEL is a misfire. Did it happen in 1st gear or did your tires spin or get any axle hop?

 

what spark plugs are you running? ngk? or some 2 buck chuck cheapos?

a coil is easily damaged during plug change and some months later starts misfire
so go to any parts store and ask for a free code scanning
report any codes back here--they are clues not diagnosis

a high speed hi rpm run will get the cat hot too- that can trigger a CEL
we need codes~~

 

i put in ngk iridiums with the proper gap. it was in second and third then i let off. ill do a diagnostic at work when i get a chance and report. thanks

 

You'll probably have P1399 as a pending code. I have the same problem every now and then...I'm 75% sure my problem is a bad coil (rough idle, engine shaking, etc.) At one point I got misfiring everytime I floored it. Mysteriously, after having the t-belt done, it only happens occasionally. I still have factory stock plugs too (almost at 120k miles)...need to do that soon too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b49ApuN3aBo

 

plugs that old are your first suspect in bad running