What does a ticking engine noise and flashing check engine light mean?
A ticking noise that speeds up during acceleration, combined with a flashing check-engine light, points to an active mechanical misfire or severe internal fault. Because this happens right after major work like a camshaft replacement, drivers cannot safely tell if the vehicle is drivable or on the verge of total engine failure.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Posting videos of engine sounds online to ask mechanics and community members for advice or opinions.
- 2Guessing potential causes like fuel injectors or eliminating recently replaced parts like the timing belt
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“So my car started making this noise after a check engine light.”source ↗
“I’ve been dealing with many issues with the vehicle, and I’m trying to figure out whether the engine sound in this video is normal or not.”source ↗
“The engine has already had a camshaft replaced last month, but I’m still experiencing the following: 1- Ticking/tapping noise, especially when accelerating at lower speeds. 2- The ticking becomes much faster/more noticeable when accelerating. 3- Under hard acceleration, the check-engine light sometimes starts flashing. This has happened more than once. 4- I also hear a high-pitched whistle/whine from the engine.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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- 40Why does my car make a loud rattle when starting the engine?
- 21Why does my car run terribly and stutter after a long drive?