check engine light

[GiddyKong]

My friend just bought a protege5 that has a crack in the catalytic converter, and obviously a check engine light.
Since driving the car the solid yellow check engine light has transitioned to a flashing yellow light to a solid red one. I know the cracked cat can flip out a lot of sensors and was wondering if this means a really big problem or just sensor problems

 

[hornsfan10609]

Flashing CEL is a serious misfire code, which can eventually cause the cat to fail. Replace the spark plugs, wires and coils

 

[GiddyKong]

And how much money and work would that take, the car is supposed to make a trip from Wisconsin to arkansas

 

[MrGiggles]

The coils are 50 bucks each, wires are around 40, and spark plugs are less than 20. They'll take less than an hour to change.

 

[GiddyKong]

I haven't really looked too much at the car, how many spark 0lugs does the protege have?

 

[GiddyKong]

And will doing this make the car last a long trip?

 

[MrGiggles]

I haven't really looked too much at the car, how many spark 0lugs does the protege have?

4 cylinder, 4 plugs, 2 coils, and 2 wires.

And will doing this make the car last a long trip?

It will likely fix the blinking check engine light.