I just bought this 2000 3.2 T.L from Carmax on Friday. Since my wife is pregnat and she was with me i didn't want to drive fast. But on Sunday when i had to go to the store by myself, I steped on the gas and it was going just fine untill i hited like 80mph and the engine light started blinking. After that the TCS light came on solid and the car started vibrating a lot. Specially between 55, and 65mph. When the car is stop it sounds like a freeky diesel truck. My wife is taking it back to Carmax today....any suggestions.

 

Sounds like the transmission....

 

I wish people would stop suggesting that its the tranny with those 2 lights. Those 2 lights could mean any number of things. Typically when the tranny goes bad the D5 light starts blinking

 

Could be anything. The tranny wouldn't have anything to do with the sound of the engine. Just wait and see what Carmax says or try to pull the code and post it back here.

 

The transmission won't cause the CEL to blink. It doesn't matter what the person describes happening, as soon as they mention the CEL and TCS light, someone will chime in that the transmission is going bad. I remember a post about a month ago that a TL had an erratic idle and before I could suggest the IAC valve someone had chimed in that it "sounds like the transmission."

For the 100000 time, the CEL and TCS lights just frequently come on together for reasons I don't know, it's just how Honda designed it - and this is independent of any specific cause.

If the CEL light is on right now, I'd take it immediately to Autozone and have them pull the code for free. Make a note and post it here so we can help you, but from what you described it sounds like your car may have been experiencing misfiring. How many miles does it have? It could possibly be plugs or it could be a coilpack.

If the CEL flashes while you are driving, do not continue to drive the car. It's okay to drive with the CEL on (while you're finding the problem and seeking resolution), but a flashing CEL indicates the possibility of engine damage if you operate it.

 

dirty egr

 

 

I had The same problem and it was cause of the I just got gas and the gas cap wasnt closed right, it says it in the manual. I had to take the cap off and then put it back on, then it says drive at least 3 times and the light should go off, I did this and it work, hope it works for you, Good Luck

 

The gas cap being lose WILL trigger the CEL, but it won't cause it to blink and it won't cause the car to run rough.

 

Blinking MIL = computer saying "I can't control it... you're shit out of luck."

 

You risk engine damage if you drive with a blinking CEL.

 

I received a call from the mechanic yesterday saying that I was misfiring, and they had to replace the coilpacks, and the plugs. I don't really know what's going on, but just in case is anything more serious they will replace it since i have the 3 year warranty on it. The car has 73K and It looks brand new on the inside and outside. I guess i will be waitting for a phone call today.

 

Exactly what I predicted. Spend enough time on these forums and get to know the regulars (Rob and Kris are good examples) and the TL because a car that is very predictable in terms of problems.