VW Golf 2.0 - struggled starting today, flashing engine light, BURNING smell

Fiance started her Golf today. Rough idle and FLASHING check engine
light. Strong burning smells, like burning oil.

Checked the oil - about a half quart low, filled it. Left it for three
hours.

Came back, started it again. Same thing - rough idle, flashing engine
light, strong burning smell.

Oil was fine.

Out of curiosity (and so I could get closer to the smell), I started it
a 3rd time. Idle was fine, engine light on steady but not flashing, no
more smell.

Any ideas? It has been raining a lot recently and is humid in the
garage. Car has been taken in for failed O2 sensor before which caused
a false engine light.

Thanks for any thoughts!

Forgot to mention

2002 Golf 2.0 gas engine w/ auto, 35000 miles.

flashing MIl means misfire for engine. Maybe coil, plugs, plug wires.



"bryanska" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Fiance started her Golf today. Rough idle and FLASHING check engine
> light. Strong burning smells, like burning oil.
>
> Checked the oil - about a half quart low, filled it. Left it for three
> hours.
>
> Came back, started it again. Same thing - rough idle, flashing engine
> light, strong burning smell.
>
> Oil was fine.
>
> Out of curiosity (and so I could get closer to the smell), I started it
> a 3rd time. Idle was fine, engine light on steady but not flashing, no
> more smell.
>
> Any ideas? It has been raining a lot recently and is humid in the
> garage. Car has been taken in for failed O2 sensor before which caused
> a false engine light.
>
> Thanks for any thoughts!
>