what are the cheapest and most likely options as far as what makes the light go on, and has anyone had a metro totalled out by insurance lately, $2500 worth of damage to the rear, wondering what the outcome will be, it is driveable right now with a plastic hatch window and a rigged tailight set up, thanks

The check engine light comes on when the ecm(computer) detects a malfunctioning sensor. To find out which sensor is bad, buy a Hanes Auto Repair Manual. The Manual will show you how to read the check engine light codes.

thank you, it went back off, go figure

it can also be as simple as tightening the gas cap, sometimes that will trigger the check engine light.