Went to an autocross today and it was raining in the morning. We started running when the rain cleared out but there was still standing water. I did my first 2 runs and I noticed my check engine light flashing so I turned the car off for a few minutes which killed the CEL and did my third morning run. Halfway through my 3rd run the CEL starts blinking at me again and then stays on. I spun on my last run but the CEL was already on, and the ABS stayed on for about 2 seconds (not sure if that's relative info or not).

Took it to a local autozone and the OBD2 scanner wouldn't work, it just said "link failed" so they couldn't pull the codes. A friend told me to disconnect the battery to reset the engine incase it was just a hickup so I did. After I reset the ECU by pulling the battery, the CEL turned and stayed off but my DSC OFF light blinked and the light in the middle that turns on when you hold the DSC button for 8 seconds stayed iluminated.

I decided to pack it up and drive to the dealer to drop off the car. As I started driving the blinking DSC OFF disappeared and when I got to a light I turned the car off and back on and the other DSC warning light was gone. So now my car has no warning lights and seems to be driving fine but i'm still a little worried. Has anyone run into this kind of situation before? I'm thinking either the water got onto something or thrashing the car around upset one of the systems and put the car into fault mode.

Cliffs notes: Ran car in the rain @ autocross and CEL came on. Pulled - terminal off battery and CEL turned off but DSC OFF blinks, drove the car 20 miles and restarted and now all warning lights are off and car seems ok.

 

Probably a misfire caused the CEL. It has happened to many of us.

And in the future, don't post the same question in different threads. Once is enough.

 

Is that a long term problem, should I bother taking it in to get it checked out? Is it safe to drive the car hard after a CEL is on? Are there any TSB's or parts that need to replaced (spark plugs, coil pack etc?) or is it just normal.

 

misfire check the plugs and coils. get a scanner- like hymee scanalyser

 

Any write ups on removing the plugs/coils? I've had I4/I6 engines before this so I've never worked on a rotary before.

 

I believe the DSC flashing is normal after disconnecting the battery. You have to re-calibrate it by turning the steering wheel from lock to lock IIRC.

To check the code you need an OBD2 scanner that supports the CAN protocol (used in most new cars).

 

Like mp5 says, yes, when you disconnect the battery, you need to start the car, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left, then right, to reset the limits positioning for the ECU. If you don't you'll have the DSC lights for a while.

 

Thanks for the help Spin and Mp5. The traction control is working normal now, and the CEL is off. I'm going to drive it hard the next few days and see if I can get the CEL to come back on, otherwise it may have just been a random fluke when a sensor freaked out.

 

I'd also like to add that I went to dinner and did the brake pedal 20 times in 8 seconds reset and saw the oil pressure gauge do the sweep then I started the car and drove it. It feels FREAKISHLY strong now, i'm talking probably 10-15 rwhp better than ever just by gut feeling. I have no idea why but it revs up very fast and pulls much harder than I remember especially in the 5000-7000 rpm range. No CEL's so far, idles fine as well very strange.