i have a 98 accord ex 5 speed and yesterday my check engine light started flashing. it also felt like the car was missing when it was doing this. the car has done it to me twice now. once when it was in heavy rain and the second time was last night when it was snowing kinda hard. what does a flashing check engine light mean?

 

It means the ecu has detected an issue. Get the code(s) and search it or post it up. Should be a "P" followed by 4 digits- i.e. "P0430". Some autozone stores check them for free.

 

A flashing Check Engine light means you need to get the car checked ASAP, and try not to drive it. If it was just the light on solid and not flashing, you can still drive it; but, get it checked soon.

You may have a misfire, etc. With a code reader or scanner, the trouble codes can be read.

 

In my experience, flashing CEL has always been missing cylinders; P301-P304. It can be one, or all depending on type of problem.

First get your codes and repost for more help.

From your mention that symptoms are worse when damp conditions are present, it is likely that spark plug wires, distributor cap, rotor may have cracks. Moisture penetrates these cracks and causes shorts of spark to ground. Probably best to replace all and might as well replace the spark plugs while you're there.

good luck

 

ok. thanks guys. stuck in a snow storm right now. will look into it tomorrow.