My 2003 Dakota has started showing the Malfunction Light Indicator, the little engine icon.

According to the owner's manual this has something to do the emissions system.

Anyone have any experience with this?

 

Hi. I moved your post into the proper forum.

What engine and transmission do you have?

Check for codes. Starting with the key off turn it to run (not start), then off, run, off, and finally leave it in run.

Any codes should display in the odometer window.

 

2004 Dakota. AT, 3.7L V6
Code: P0240

Catalytic convertor operating at below efficiency.

Anyone know what this may mean, as far as cost or fix?

Thanks.

 

Your converter may be bad.

The PCM looks at the input/output from the O2 sensors to make this determination. It is possible that they are getting slow, it happens as they age. Otherwise, you're changing your converter out.

You might try a nice long and fast trip to get it up to temp and burn off any contaminants, if you do a lot of short trips it might help.