Check Engine Light Flashing

[ZaTurtle]

I have a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport with 201000 miles and the check engine light is flashing. At first, it was just flashing for like a mile and I drove it about 25 miles, including getting the codes read. I went up to get the codes read and the codes that came up are P1000, which is a diagnostic code, P1401 for the EGR Valve, and P0042 which is an EVAP code. When I start the car up and let it run in the driveway, the check engine light doesn't flash and it seems to run fine. But, when I drive down the street, the check engine light starts flashes within a half a mile. When idling, the engine sounds rough and there is a burning smell. When the hood is open right after driving half a mile, there is some smoke coming from the driver side. The only thing I could notice because I don't know much about cars is that the mesh looking tubing covering a pipe next to the engine looks like something happened to it.

 

[h0und10]

flashing usually indicates something serious and your not supposed to drive the car.. at least i lthink. it usually means a missfire and raw fuel is being burned and coming out your exhaust.

 

[rb142]

Yes, flashing indicates a condition is currently present that is damaging to the emission equipment (catalyst) and producing excessive emissions. A flashing light is almost always for misfire.

That mesh tubing covers the EGR pipe. Based on your code and the smoke description, it sounds like you probably have a hole/break in the EGR pipe that is leaking exhaust gas and melting the mesh wrapping. It sounds like you also have misfire going on, and the EGR problem may be the source of it.

 

[ZaTurtle]

It ended up that there were 3 more codes for 3 cylinders misfiring because the spark plugs were loose(I had tune up done a month and a half ago) and there was a bad ignition coil. The shop didn't say there was anything wrong with the EGR pipe though.