2007 Toyota Camry check engine light flashing — is it safe to drive?
DIY Mechanic
15d ago
276 6
2007 Toyota Camry
Check engine light started flashing on my way home from work. Car feels like it's shaking a bit at idle too. I'm scared to drive it to the shop — is flashing different from solid? The code reader my neighbor has shows P0301 cylinder 1 misfire. Is this expensive to fix?
Related Repair Guides
3 Replies
Flashing CEL = active misfire. Do NOT keep driving — you can destroy your catalytic converter ($1,000+). A solid CEL is "get it checked soon." Flashing means "stop now."
P0301 is cylinder 1 misfire. On the 2AZ-FE engine in your Camry, start with:
1. Swap the coil from cylinder 1 to cylinder 3
2. Clear codes and see if the misfire follows (now P0303)
3. If it does → bad coil pack (~$25)
4. If it stays on cyl 1 → could be plug, injector, or compression
Check out the [2007 Camry wiring diagrams](/wiring/2007/Toyota/Camry) for the ignition coil circuit if you want to test with a multimeter.
DIY Mechanic14d ago
Had the exact same thing on my '08 Camry. Turned out to be a cracked spark plug boot letting the spark arc to the valve cover. $8 fix. Don't panic yet.
+1 on not driving with a flashing CEL. I ignored mine for a week and ended up needing a new cat. That was a $1,400 lesson. The actual misfire fix was a $30 coil pack.
Sign in to reply to this thread