Alright so first off I have an 02 with 136k miles. So i'm not in vtec too often unless im on the interstate or just for a short period of time. About 3 days ago i noticed my CEL flashing while I was on the interstate. It flashed maybe 4-6 times and went off. I was in vtec 6500-7000 rpms when i noticed the light flashing then it went off. The car still drives like normal. I have been still driving the car since it is my daily, but my question is what could it be; I have no way of checking the code if it is one because the light goes right back off? The car drives fine and no CEL when im not in vtec. There is a ticking noise which i was thinking my TCT was going bad again that I replaced about 1year ago. Other than that diff and tranny fluid replaced less than 10k miles ago. I'd appreciate any help. Thanks

 

it could be your vtec solenoid going out or clogged. Open it up and check the screen inside the solenoid. As for your cel, it is still store in the ecu even if theres no cel light on the cluster so you can still retrieve it with a scan tool.

 

Alright so I went to autozone to let them pull the code and it was a misfire detected; couldn't tell me where it was or anything more than that. Like I said cruising speeds its fine. It just threw a CEL over 6500 rpms doing about 70-85 mph. Where would be the cheapest place to start with fixing this. I also changed the spark plugs last year round this time. I can do a few things on the outside of the motor down to the spark plugs. Everything else I dunno. If it helps I only use 93 octane. There is one place that I normally use that has ethanol free but I had to go to Kroger a few times( I normally run it out before I refill with ethanol free).

 

A flashing CEL is normally a Type A cylinder misfire. This is typically a catalyst damaging misfire. The cylinder has to misfire almost once per cycle to trip. You should stop immediately if the check engine light is flashing. Most likely you have an ignition related problem with a load related misfire (plugs, coil, boot, etc.).

 

I'll start with the plugs. Where would be the best place to get some plugs or should I just go to Honda. The CEL only flashes when I'm over 6500 rpm and it doesn't come on immediately . It takes a minute flashes 4-6 times and its back off of course I let off the throttle when it appears.

 

Adanced auto sells our reccomended plugs