This
light means that your car's
electronic fuel injection onboard computer has
logged an
exception code. One of the 10 to 20
inputs and
outputs it
monitors has exceeded the normal bounds it expects.
Usually, simple things like the knock sensor or the exhaust oxygen sensor have broken down and should be replaced. Your car is fine, but you may lose a bit of mileage efficiency.
The mechanic will hook up your EEC to a diagnostic computer and read off the error code which will clear the log and extinguish the panel light.
EEC DIAGNOSTIC LOG:
$0A REPLACE O2 SENSOR
$F0 CONFUSE CUSTOMER WITH MECH JARGON
$FB TRUMP UP REPAIR BILL
$FF SELL EXTENDED WARRANTY