There is a warning light coming on the upper left side of my dash.It is green and looks a bit like a fan with air blowing out.It comes on and only stays on for like 2 seconds and then it is gone.l have tried to show it to my father, so l can ask him, but it never stays on.The car seems to be driving okay, and l really can not afford to go to a mechanic with out knowing anything about what is wrong.
l bought it used and did not come with a manual.l looked online for one, and it went over the basoc stuff, but not what the differant lights meant

look in the manual

It could be faulty? Possibly why the first owners got rid of it

If you want to show him which one it is turn the ignition to the on position and all the dash light should come on with out starting the car.

It is the traction control light, l coppied the owner inforamtion & included it below.

Traction ControlY active (if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to ON. It also
illuminates when the Traction
Controly system begins applying
and releasing the brakes and
adjusting the engine characteristics to limit a wheelspin condition. It will
be lit for the duration of the Traction Controly event.
For more information, refer to the Driving chapter.

TRACTION CONTROLY (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle may be equipped with the optional Traction Controly
system. This system helps u maintain the stability & steerability of
your vehicle. It is especially useful on slippery and/or hilly road surfaces.
The system operates by detecting & controlling wheel spin. The system
borrows many of the electronic & mechanical elements already present
in the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Wheel-speed sensors allow excess front wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Controly portion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel
spin is controlled by automatically applying & releasing the front
brakes in conjunction with engine torque reductions. Engine torque
reduction is realized via the fully electronic spark & fuel injection
systems. This process is very sensitive to driving conditions & very fast
acting. The front wheels “search” for optimum traction several times a
second & adjustments r made accordingly.
The Traction Controly system will allow ur vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid
which makes ur vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow, ice covered
and gravel roads.
Driving
During Traction Controly operation,
the traction control active light will
illuminate, u may hear an electric
motor type of sound coming from
the engine compartment & the
engine will not “rev-up” when u push further on the accelerator. This
is normal system behavior.
The Traction Controly on/off switch, located on the right side of the
instrument cluster, illuminates OFF when the system is turned OFF. The
Traction Controly system will revert to the ON position every time the
ignition is turned OFF & ON.
If u should become stuck in snow or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction Controly system off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to “dig” the vehicle out & enable a successful
“rocking” maneuver.
If a system fault is detected the traction control active light will
illuminate, the Traction Controly on/off switch will not toggle on & off,
and ur vehicle should be serviced as soon as possible.