it did flash a while ago, when i had to replace the vss, but it hasn't since then. and the vss went about 30,000 km ago. and the weird lugging and slipping problem happened about 15,000 km ago, and the transmssion hasn't given out yet. the check engine light is on, but it's been that way since i bought it, and it will stay off for a while if the battery's been unplugged when i'm working on soemthing.