i let my car warm up fully before i drive it every time, in the mornings almost everyday for about a month the check engine light comes on when i first start to drive it, but only stays on for less than 10 seconds and turns off. today it happened when i was driving home from work, when i had been driving for more than 20 minutes, and stayed on for about 30 seconds and shut off.

i've been told i can only read the code for a check engine light when it is still on.

any sugestions on what might be causing this?

 

Well the failure code will tell you exactly what is wrong

 

so i can see whats wrong even if the light is not on at that moment?

 

If the check engine light flashed (CEL) it'll be stored in the ECU until it is cleared or the battery is disconnected.

 

my seatbelt light did that, i think it died though, because my seatbelt would be buckled and it would randomly come on while driving. same with my add coolant light, but my coolant is full. i think that could be the sensor, that's all i really know about hte idiot lights.