1995 Toyota Corolla Flashing MIL light

FASTVEE

MEMBER
1995 TOYOTA COROLLA

Engine Performance problem
1995 Toyota Corolla 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 114K miles

My Haynes manual does not explain the significance of a flashing MIL, and it continues to flash when I jump E1 & TE1. I can't retrieve any OBD I codes. This started with two separate incidents of hesitation, and the engine ran great prior to this. I replaced the distributor cap, rotor and plugs, and removed the battery terminal to clear any codes because I can't retrieve them anyway. After reconnecting the battery the flashing MIL returns as soon as the key is turned to on. Since the engine wasn't started I'm thinking the problem is a sensor. Do these clues point to any particular sensors to check first?

3 Replies

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

Look at the wire harness to the diagnostic port, check for wires with insulation missing causing a ground to chassis.

Spray some electronics cleaner on the diagnostic port pins, clean it up and see if E1 and TE1 were somehow shorted.

If you still have the problem, disconnect the IAC, TPS, Coolant temp, MAP etc. One at a time and see if the flashing goes away. Disconnect with ign. Off, then start. It will run rough with these disconnected, but you are only checking to see if the MIL lamp stops blinking, so only do this for a few seconds.

If you can find a shop that can scan the car (OBDI), that would be a better choice.

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Monday, December 29th, 2008 AT 9:20 AM

FASTVEE

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I examined the diagnostic connector and wiring, all looks fine. I wasn't successful in stopping the MIL flashing by disconnecting the sensors one at a time and starting the engine. I have not replaced all of the tune-up parts yet, and I also will replace the fuel filter, but would like to know how these parts could cause the MIL to flash when the engine hasn't been started?
Thanks,
fastvee

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Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 AT 8:05 AM

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

The MIL light should only flash when the diagnostic ports are connected, OR the ECM is malfunctioning.

Only other possibility is that a fuse has blown and a backup in the MIL is indicating that.

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Thursday, January 1st, 2009 AT 11:28 AM