Will a check engine light clear on its own?

The Check Engine or Service Engine Soon indicators illuminate when responding to a sensor detecting a problem, and the indicator generally stays on until the problem is repaired. If the indicator light goes off, it can mean the car auto-corrected the problem or the sensor emitting the warning is faulty.

Technically, this feature is known as the Malfunction Indicator Light, or MIL, and it is used to inform the driver of a failure in the engine or transmission control system that could affect vehicle emissions. It can be an indicator of either a major problem or a faulty sensor. Even a loose gas cap can trigger the warning.