There are pages and pages of things that can cause a check engine light. You need to have it checked with a scantool. Then the code can be diagnosed and repaired.
You have slowed down.
Check engine light comes on, mileage drops, may end up toasting a cylinder coil which is a cylinder misfire or flashing check engine light.
How come my speed odometer just drops and wont work and if i pound on the dash sometimes it will come back..
When my check engine light comes on, it is caused by the temperature sensor not working. As soon as the light comes on, my temperature drops to cool. If the light goes out, the temp gauge returns to normal.
If it drops to zero it is the stepper motor in the cluster. If it drops down several degrees then it is the thermostat and will eventually make the check engine light stay on. you will experience poor fuel economy due to the computer loading the engine up with fuel thinking you are in warm-up mode. We have lots of info at our enthusiasts forum at www.trailvoy.com
Could be your anti freeze is low or more likely your thermostat is stuck open and your engine is not getting up to operating temperature.
Check the engine oil level, it may be low.
check the oil before you start you car, if its low on the stick and it in to add line add a quart of oil. And check to see if you have a puddle under the engine of the car. If you do open the hood a check the left side of the engine to see if there any oil drops on the ac comp top, if there is the timing gasget need to be replace.
Engine makes noise, performance drops, fuel mileage drops,
If your engine has a faulty intake valve and it drops, shut the engine off as soon as you can. The loose part will eventually destroy the engine, sometimes to the point it cannot even be rebuilt but will need a replacement.
The engine may be low on oil, when you make a turn the oil pickup tube sucks air and the oil pressure drops. Check the gauges when the light comes on, one of them is out of range.
Low coolant, check when engine is cold.