# Check Engine idiot light

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-idiot-light/53122>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** dakota, dodge, lights, engines\
**Created:** [August 7, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-idiot-light/53122 "2010-08-07T16:15:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chazhop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@chazhop](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chazhop)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2010, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-idiot-light/53122/1 "2010-08-07T16:15:48Z")

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Why does my 1994 dakota pickup ONLY start and operate when the check engine light is illuminated? The minute the light goes off the truck stalls dead

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**Author:** ![geeaea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@geeaea](https://community.cartalk.com/u/geeaea)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-idiot-light/53122/2 "2010-08-07T16:25:44Z")

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Do the key trick to get the code. (DON’T START) ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON (LEAVE ON) and count the flashes from the CEL. It will form a series of 2 digit numbers. They move kinda quick, so pay attention. FLASH-FLASH (pause) FLASH-FLASH-FLASH is 23 …etc. 55 is the last code.

Look here for definitions:

[http://www.allpar.com/fix/80s-codes.html](http://www.allpar.com/fix/80s-codes.html)

…but this is a first for me. I’d love to see what this ends up being.

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**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\
**Post date:** [August 7, 2010, 4:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-idiot-light/53122/3 "2010-08-07T16:51:30Z")

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Same here. If you find the cause let us know. This is not normal by any stretch of the imagination.