Help - engine management lite came on

[Friendy]

I'm new to all this stuff although I have looked at the site before loads. Spotted an amber engine management type lite on my dash this morning on the way to work - panicked, rang local dealer who said all the time it's amber don't panic and we have booked it in next week. Anyone had this happen to them and what could it be? Worried about driving it now. He told me only to worry if it turned red or I started to experience driving problems. Cooper born in Nov 04 bought by me Nov 05. No problems thus far. Anyone got a clue?

[erickfink]

Well, you really don't have anything to worry about yet.
If the car were in danger, it would enter into "limp home mode" and you would KNOW something was wrong as the car would not perform at all the way that it should.
The stealer, I mean dealer, will "diagnose" the problem for you by plugging in an OBD2 code reader and finding out why the car thinks there is something wrong. This could range from you didn't tighten the gas cap enough to you need a new catalytic converter.
You may want to buy an OBD2 code reader (I got mine from Peake Research) so you can figure out why the light comes on and take appropriate action. The code reader will pay for itself if you use it twice. It is also essential if you change your own oil (which you should).

[Friendy]

Thanks Eric. Stealer did indeed sort it out and didn't cost me a bean, righltly so. They replaced a part on the exhaust that was "faulty" - can't recall what now. Women!

[faster,Tobias!]

Likely a faulty oxygen sensor.