car trouble

[Smallpotatoes]

Coming home from the game I covered this afternoon, the engine light came on. The car is running fine. There are no indications something is amiss other than the light being on.
How big a chance would I be taking just going about my business for the next few days rather than taking it to a mechanic? I called Triple A to see if they could have somebody come out and look at it, but they don't have mechanics (I thought they did once. Sometimes they can be ****ing useless.). Obviously on Sunday night there are no shops open. Amazing how in this world where there are so many 24-hour businesses how there are still some obligations that can only be met Monday through Friday 9-5.
What might it be and as long as it's running OK, should I keep driving it?
It's a 2001 Ford Taurus with about 98,000 miles.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

Take it to a car parts chain store like Advance or Pep Boys. They run a diagnostic that determines why your check engine light is on, free of charge. Mine popped on during a long drive about two years ago, and I took it to Advance. Diagnosis: one of the cylinders wasn't firing right. Solution: A $4 bottle of fuel injector stuff. Hasn't given me a problem since. Here's hoping that'll be your issue.

 

[sportschick]

My check engine light came on once . . . I didn't have the gas cap screwed on tight. Check your owners manual and see if it has stuff like that listed to try before you take it anywhere. I'd have saved $50 if I'd done that.

 

[boots]

As long as the car is running and sericeable, don't worry about it until you can get up enough money to have it fixed.

 

[Chi City 81]

My check engine light came on once . . . I didn't have the gas cap screwed on tight. Check your owners manual and see if it has stuff like that listed to try before you take it anywhere. I'd have saved $50 if I'd done that.

I echo sc on this one. Check the gas cap.

 

[HeinekenMan]

This is a common problem and almost always is a minor issue.

Mine came on when my car was three years old. I took it to the dealer, and they charged me $75. They hooked it up to diagnostics and determined that there was crud (leaves, I think) in my air filter.

Three months later, the damned thing came on again. It's been on ever since.