Blinking Check Engine Light

[jennfromtx]

New member, first time poster...I have a 2001 Rav4 2wd with 190k miles on her. I have a rebuilt transmission in her now since January (I wasn't aware of the ECM settlement AT ALL and when I had the tranny redone, my RAV had 177K miles. That's a whole other thread in itself. Yesterday, my check engine light started blinking. It is on all the time, but this is the first time it blinked. My car started to ride "clunky" for lack of a better description and it startled me. I pulled over, checked my oil (it was just changed Oct. 13) and it was fine. I restarted my car, fingers crossed, and the light had stopped blinking and no more "clunkiness." Per the suggestion of the O'Reilly's guy, I bought a fuel injection cleaner and put it in last night. I haven't had anymore blinking today. I honestly have no clue about cars other than changing bulbs and wiper blades so this blinking engine light is like rocket science to me.

I also had them check my codes and it gave these:
P0420 (cat converter)
P0174
P0300
P0304
P0430

This scares me. I have no real idea what these mean, but they can't be good. After spending $3500 on a rebuilt tranny, I am tapped out of car funds. Does anyone know why my check engine could've started blinking and then stopped?

ANY help is appreciated. I love Betsy (my RAV) and am not ready to lay her to rest just yet. Thank you! By the way, I am SO glad I stumbled across this site. People here are very helpful and seem to know their RAVs.

[Carbon]

Originally Posted by jennfromtx

I also had them check my codes and it gave these:
P0420 (cat converter)
P0174
P0300
P0304
P0430

Buy an OBD2 code reader. Get it on order if you want to order one.

I would start with P0304, since that is upstream of the others. Maybe a bad coil. Consider swapping coils with maybe cyl 3... Maybe swap plugs with cyl 2... so if the P0304 goes away and a P0303 appears, coil is bad. If P0302 appears, bad plug. Codes P0300-P0303-P0304 is a thread where a the problem was a an injector.

[jennfromtx]

Thanks!! The guys at O'Reilly printed out what the codes mean, but I just don't understand what it all means. I guess I need a bottle of wine and a date with Google.

[vanib]

Then google how to change spark plug on 4 cylinder. the first step would be to pull the coil off the spark plug. Youtube is your friend

Carbon is asking you to figure out if the coil is really the culprit. If swapping the coil with another makes the problem shift to another spark plug/coil position, then most probably the problem is the coil.

As carbon said, during this trial and error, you will need a scan tool or scan gauge or some equipment which lets you connect your Android phone to the OBD port.

I am not aware what the ECM settement covers, others might let us know if Toyota will reimburse you your expenses.

[jennfromtx]

the settlement covers up to 150k miles. I am going to submit my claim anyway and appeal, appeal, appeal if they deny it...then I will threaten to get my attorney involved. They really need to make this right, especially if I didn't get notice of the class action suit to begin with. If I can get this fixed all by my 2 hands I will be so proud of myself. I am woman, hear me ROAR! Thanks again!

[RTexasF]

Go for it Jenn! Even if you break a nail or two they grow back. Onward to wine & google!

[fatherer]

Blinking light is usually means misfire. Either the coil or a spark plug. If cat code shows up it could be because its spitting unburnt gas into excaust. Could be very bad for the cat.

[ynotrhyme]

What ended up being the culprit jenn? Im having the same prob. :/

[earthrealm]

A MISFIRE BLINKS FOR LESS THAN 60 SECS AND THEN BECOME SOLID........is that the way urs is?..or its blinking continously?

[jennfromtx]

Originally Posted by ynotrhyme

What ended up being the culprit jenn? Im having the same prob. :/

It is in the shop as we speak. They said it is showing a misfire code. I have also tried to get them to understand the whole ECM/Transmission issue since I have the 2001 model in question. For some reason, even when I give them the website, they can't seem to grasp the concept. I have already rebuilt the entire transmission and I think I just need to get the ECM redone. I love my RAV and I am not ready to part with her yet.