The check engine light (service engine soon) comes on and stays on when a problem is detected by the self diagnosis system of your vehicle. Generally, the problem is in the emissions or something that is affecting the effectiveness of the emissions, but other causes can trigger the light to come on, too. To determine the cause, the vehicle will need to be taken to AutoZone or a shop that has an OBD2 scanner, or for 1995 and earlier models, an OBD1 scanner, While a scanner will not give you the magic answer, it will give you a code that narrows down the problem area.
Check and fix the engine.
it looks like a little orange engine in lower left on dash
Follow the troubleshooting tree that is associated with that code.
With an OBD2 scan tool. The problem must be repaired or the light will just come back on.
If the Check Engine light is lit or has lit, that means the computer has detected a fault in either the performance or emmissions system of your vehicle. Have the OBDII terminal scanned for the trouble codes.
If the check engine light is blinking that means that an engine cylinder misfire has been detected . You can drive it in for repair , just avoid any rapid acceleration or deceleration because you can damage the catalytic converter
On a 2000 Mercury Cougar : The warning light that looks like a can with an X through it , located between the engine coolant temperature gauge and the tachometer ( at the bottom of the gauge cluster ) is your ( LOW engine cooling system warning light )
On a 1997 Mercury Mountaineer : The " CHECK ENGINE " warning light is just to the left of the battery voltage gauge
If your check engine light is flashing , an engine cylinder misfire has been detected
my check engine light stays on and the o/d light blinks....what could this mean?
Either your gas tank is at or near empty , your oil pressure is too low , or your engine coolant temperature is too high
If the check engine light is blinking that means that an engine cylinder misfire has been detected