When i just have my ignition on my check engine light it on but when i start the car it goes off, is this an issue? i ran my codes and all i got was code 12, i got it 10 times then stoped so can anyone say if this is normal or not or is it fine?

 

That's exactly what should happen. The 12 code just says the ecu (computer) is communicating. You get 12 three times then any codes then 12 three times again.

 

so its normal for it to be on when the cars off?

 

When the engine is off and key removed? No.

 

If you mean when you turn on the ignition but not actually start the car then yes the light will be on and only go off when you start the engine.

 

ah ok, thank you i was worried for a minute because it seemed strange that it was on when the ignition was on but when the car is running its off so thank you

 

That's actually part of "bulb check". The car is supposed to turn on all the bulbs so you can tell if one is burnt out. It's also a way for an emissions inspector to see if someone took the bulb out of the check engine light!

One funny one is, on a non-gauge ("idiot light") cluster, if you turn the key to "on" without starting the engine, and the alternator bulb is not lit, that means the voltage regulator is fried. That's true for my '86 Firebird, not sure if it's true for all non-gauge clusters- in my opinion it's not a good design. The light should come on if something's wrong, not go out.

 

yeah i can see it coming on for a few seconds then shutting off like the newer cars but yeah