Hoodrat

I realize this subject is a dead horse. However I had the 16 flashes with the occasional random flashes upon starting the car(1998 legaccy). As I understand the 16 flashes indicated a code has been stored. I think the random flashes were probably the actual code flashing due to my incidentally triggering the "secret handshake" while driving. I also may have experienced some torque bind. Off to the soobie shop I go. Bummed cause it is ski season but I'll thumb up the hill if I have to. The shop calls me and says that the code is gone and the torque bind is no longer present. So my mechanic and myself decided to leave the car at the shop for a few days to see if he could get the light to flash again. Love my soobie and love my shop! My issue is not to question my mechanic or the engineers of this car but to educate myself to better understand and maintain my vehicle. What could be the cause of this phantom disappearing issue?