ok, thanx all u guys, the advice payed off. I went over to a friends house to help him with his computer and before i went in, i disconnected the battery cable to see if this would work. I was inthere for about 45 min...so thats WELL over the 10 minute rule. I came out..reconnected and VIOLA!!! Check engine light has vanished!!!! Hopefully to never reappear!

thanx again....

Dave