So I feel like the main culprit may be my spark plugs but I'm not a mechanic. But tonight while driving, I was about to go up hill and my car had a total loss of power, CEL flashing. Pulled off to the side and had to pull over to the right hand after that. I could put the pedal to the floor and car would not have any power. I ended up calling my friend to tow me back to my house. No visible tow point to fasten a rope to, so we decided to try and just drive however I could back to my house. After starting my car again, car went back to normal, I could drive again. Didn't want to chance it and took it home and switched cars. I'm currently at work and only have a cheap OBD2 scanner. Any thoughts on what could cause this?

I had already planned to change my spark plugs and coil packs because I had already had a problem where the engine would "kick" going up hill. This happened before and replacing spark plugs remedied that. I was waiting for my items to come in hoping it would be fine for a few days. I found it really strange that starting my car again allowed me to drive it again. Maybe an electrical problem? Any insight is appreciated!

 

First off, if you what help, please provide the important info. Even though it's a Sport, what transmission do you have?

With a automatic transmission on a Sport, you have "D" and "S" drive options and the "S" uses the paddle shifters. A manual transmission is a different bred of cat.

If you have an Sport Automatic, were you in "S" mode when the the Check-Engine-Light (CEL) came on and you eventually found yourself in 'limp-home' mode, which reset back to normal after turning the engine off / back on?

Are you the first owner?

If you still have the tire / wheel change kit (lug nut wrench, etc) that is usually with the spare, there is a big screw with a big 'tow' loop on it. This is what you use to tow the car. There's a little square hatch on your front bumper that you pop out and screw in to tow.

There are many knowledge people here but we need your help. Spark plugs may not even be the issue.

 

Flashing CEL is a misfire.

Check those plugs and make sure they are tight!!!!

Yes the tow hook is with your tool bag in the trunk.

 

Sorry about that, Trans would the sport auto with D and S with paddles.

At the time I used S Mode but switched to D before getting onto the freeway. CEL flashed when I hit the dip before the uphill climb. Car went limp in the turn.

Second owner, I bought this as a spare car for work, had 56k at the time, now at 85k (I live in Hawaii, and drive 40+ miles to and from work)

Oh ok, I had wondered what that thing was for. I thought the square was a space for a sensor. Learn something new everyday.

Thank you

 

Well, did a scan, there are no codes to be found after scanning. Thoughts?

 

One day, I was screwing around with mine ('11 Sport AT) and I was in "S" mode. Normally when you come to a stop, the transmission will reset, start in "1", then upshifts to "2" then "3" but stops there. Not sure why but mine stayed in "1" and I eventually over-revved the engine (I was counting on it to upshift on it's own), CEL came on and I went into "limp home" mode. I pulled over, turned it off, turned back on and it was back to "normal".

If yours now runs normal but the CEL is still "on", then check the spark plugs.

Also find the car's tool bag with the lug wrench and tow loop / bolt. Again, you pry open the square lid on the front bumper and screw it in there.

I apologize for getting excited. Beer does that sometimes. Sorry

 

I was in D definitely in 5th, and it just started dropping. I know that while in S mode and I had already shifted from third, then i have to up shift even after a stop. If you go back to D and then back to S it resets to auto until you shift into 4th.While on that subject, when yours shifts down while coming to a stop, does it just skip 2nd? Noticed my car just doesn't care about 2nd gear when coming to a stop.

Strangely there is no CEL. It went away a short while after I pulled over. OBD doesn't give me any fault codes now that i have scanned it.

Got it!

No need to worry!

 

You seem to have the same issues i am! I was wondering if you had managed to find out what was wrong???