the car was running really roughly, the check engine light flashed three times over and over again...

I restarted the car, and it went back to normal

Does anyone know what this means? (those terms are too common of a search item and google sucks... lol)

 

On many cars it signals misfires so bad they're cat-damaging.

 

Get a code reader on it to see if you have any stored codes.

If so, post the actual codes (not descriptions) back here.

Graham

 

If the mil is flashing then you most likely have a misfire code which would be one of these:

jaghelp.com: P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305 and P0306 on you Jaguar X-type

 

A flashing check engine light is telling you that whatever is going on, is significant enough that the ECU is considering it engine damaging. Now, this can mean that the cats will be damaged, you may crack the block, etc. It all depends on what the car sees as being wrong and to what level it is occurring. LIke was mentioned, get the codes read and have them posted here. Odds are, we can get you taken care of in no time flat.

If I had to take a guess, you most likely have some oil in one of the plug wells and you are having a coil get its spark shunted to ground so the cylinder is not firing properly. This will lead to high gas concentration in the cat and it can cause the cat to run extremely hot. Hot enough to start warping/melting internals.