99 altima service engine light question

The service engine light just came on in my 99 altima, 113,000 miles. The manual says it's might be either the gas cap or an emissions control component problem. It also states a blinking light is more serious than a solid-on light. I have a copy of the service manual, but it doesn't address diagnostic lights, or codes for that matter. Anyone able to give me any insight/advice on this issue before I take it to a service shop? Otherwise the car runs fine, or at least as well as when I purchased it used a few months ago. thanks, Jim

you need to get the car scaned to find out what the problem is thank you

Yep, Autozone can pull the code for free.

i had gotten service engine light on my 99 altima gxe and i scanned it.. at autozone, it was an egr (exhaust gas recirculation) problem .. so it might have to do with that ... usually with that code your car might not show effects right now, later it will start stalling and a harsh ride. so yes, scanning with an obd II or another scanner would give you the answer.

No way to tell until you get the code pulled... any auto parts store can pull the code, but if you are NOT planning on doing the repair or diagnosis yourself, take it to a mechanic. I say this because even the engine light may come on for, lets say, an emissions error, if you do not know how to take it from there and pinpoint WHAT is triggering the error (could be sooo many different things) then dont waste time just take it to a shop.