# Check Engine warning Light 2001 nChevy Cavalier

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-warning-light-2001-nchevy-cavalier/37563>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** chevrolet, cavalier\
**Created:** [October 4, 2009, 4:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-warning-light-2001-nchevy-cavalier/37563 "2009-10-04T04:42:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![spakaroo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@spakaroo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/spakaroo)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2009, 4:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-warning-light-2001-nchevy-cavalier/37563/1 "2009-10-04T04:42:14Z")

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What does the Off Track Dash Light mean?

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2009, 1:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-warning-light-2001-nchevy-cavalier/37563/2 "2009-10-04T13:42:44Z")

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Is it a CEL or a OTDL (Off Track Dash Light)? If it is a OTDL, what the hey is that? What does the owner’s manual have to say about it?

If it is a CEL:

That CEL (check engine light) is just a kid in class waving her hand trying to get you attention because she has the answer. You need to have the codes read. Some places will read them for FREE. Try Autozone or Advanced Auto Parts. Get the exact code (like P0123) not just their translation into English and post it back here.

Regarding warning lights:

1. if the coolant temp light comes on, shut off the engine ASAP

2. if the oil warning light comes on, shut off the engine ASAP

3. if a FLASHING MIL/CEL comes on, shut off the engine ASAP

But if the MIL/CEL is not flashing, then it’s not an urgent indicator.

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**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [October 4, 2009, 2:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-warning-light-2001-nchevy-cavalier/37563/3 "2009-10-04T14:46:20Z")

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The owner’s manual is the place to look.

Does this car have traction control? I’d assume that it does and that the light indicates a problem in the traction control system.