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Old 10-04-2020, 01:08 PM #1
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Flashing check engine light - 2014 4Runner

Friday I started my 2014 4runner. It idled a little rough and then the check engine light started flashing. It had not been started since the previous weekend when I backed it out to wash it. No problems then. My husband thinks I got moisture in something since I was using the pressure washer to wash it. I didn't wash the engine so I'm not sure how that could be the problem. I started investigating a little further today and found a mouse nest inside the air filter box. Looked like a bunch of pink insulation and mouse droppings. Could this be what is causing the check engine light to flash? I cleared out the nest and when I start it, the engine is running smoothly now. No rough idle anymore. If that was the problem, will the CEL reset itself or do I need to remove the battery cable?

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Old 10-04-2020, 01:16 PM #2
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A flashing CEL is indicative of a serious issue unlike a solid light which typically means some sort of emissions related trouble. When the CEL flashes, it's usually for misfires or other things that can seriously and permanently damage your engine if you continue to drive it.

Pull the code, see what it says. Playing the internet guessing game isn't the answer.
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Old 10-04-2020, 02:28 PM #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by habner View Post
Friday I started my 2014 4runner. It idled a little rough and then the check engine light started flashing. It had not been started since the previous weekend when I backed it out to wash it. No problems then. My husband thinks I got moisture in something since I was using the pressure washer to wash it. I didn't wash the engine so I'm not sure how that could be the problem. I started investigating a little further today and found a mouse nest inside the air filter box. Looked like a bunch of pink insulation and mouse droppings. Could this be what is causing the check engine light to flash? I cleared out the nest and when I start it, the engine is running smoothly now. No rough idle anymore. If that was the problem, will the CEL reset itself or do I need to remove the battery cable?
Maybe the critters have been chewing on the wires, and it is causing your problem? Take a good look around the engine compartment.
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Old 10-04-2020, 02:32 PM #4
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Don't have a code reader and I'm 15 miles from the nearest auto parts place.
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Old 10-04-2020, 10:02 PM #5
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Some cel codes reset themselves and clear the light and some do not (they latch and have to be reset). Without knowing the code it's hard to tell. A basic OBDII code reader that will read and reset codes is a good investment. They are relatively inexpensive and the one I got almost 20 years ago for $35 has paid for its self many times over.

As previously mentioned, I would start by doing a thorough inspection looking for more evidence and damage to wires etc.
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Old 10-05-2020, 10:54 AM #6
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Quote:
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Don't have a code reader and I'm 15 miles from the nearest auto parts place.
15 miles is a short drive if the car is running OK.

Go pull codes and see what it says.
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Old 10-05-2020, 02:15 PM #7
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A flashing CEL is indicating a missfire. I had this issue with my 19 and turned out to be rodent damage. Toyota replaced the whole engine harness to the tune of $9K since it's not even 2 years old. Thank goodness for insurance.
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