Malfunction Indicator Lamp: Description and Operation

The CHECK ENGINE lamp in the instrument cluster will come on during engine starting to serve as a bulb and system check. It should go off after the engine starts unless a problem has been detected by the system.

The Engine Control Module (ECM) performs a continual self diagnosis of certain control functions and causes the CHECK ENGINE lamp to remain on when the engine is running if a problem is detected. The CHECK ENGINE lamp will remain on only as long as the error is detected. The ECM will store in memory a current and/or history trouble code if a problem is detected. Refer to Engine Controls for diagnosis. Powertrain Management