Check Engine Light Options

[davidlwade]

Hello All. I am new to this site. Just found it the other day, but am thoroughly impressed already. I don't know if this is the right place in the forums for this post.... If not, I apologize, but I was lookng for some help.

My check engine light will not come on at all. Even when I crank the car up, it doesn't even flash. Hence, my car fails inspection automatically. Have any of you had a similar problem with your celicas? Any feed back would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thank you
David L. Wade
davidlwade@bellsouth.net
dwade@olympuscomputer.net

[GriffGirl]

First off, welcome to the site!

If you have an Autozone nearby, they can run a diagnostic on your car for free to see if there are any codes being thrown. If you've just recently bought your car, my initial guess is that you will have a CEL code and whoever sold you the car took the bulb out of the gauge behind the CEL icon to hide that fact. I know that's a grim and pessimistic assessment, but considering that particular bulb sees maybe 3 seconds of use a day, it's not a likely one to burn out.

The bulb type is 74, an easy to find size that is available in any store that sells automotive replacement bulbs. If you can't get your OBD2 read, try first replacing the bulb (use the search for instructions on how to remove your instrument cluster - it's intimidating at first but super easy to do) and see if the light stays on or not.

[trdproven]

There are two screws hidden on your steering wheel, move them left and right and you'll see them, then remove both sides. If not, taking out your cluster will be a b.

This post has been edited by trdproven: Sep 26, 2008 - 7:06 PM

[Bitter]

my guess would be that the bulb for the light is burned out, thats pretty easy to check first.

[Dr_Tweak]

First off, welcome to the site!

If you have an Autozone nearby, they can run a diagnostic on your car for free to see if there are any codes being thrown. If you've just recently bought your car, my initial guess is that you will have a CEL code and whoever sold you the car took the bulb out of the gauge behind the CEL icon to hide that fact. I know that's a grim and pessimistic assessment, but considering that particular bulb sees maybe 3 seconds of use a day, it's not a likely one to burn out.

The bulb type is 74, an easy to find size that is available in any store that sells automotive replacement bulbs. If you can't get your OBD2 read, try first replacing the bulb (use the search for instructions on how to remove your instrument cluster - it's intimidating at first but super easy to do) and see if the light stays on or not.

Dang. Rep +1

[Bitter]

so funny story....

guy JUST bought a new work van, brought it to us because the speedo stopped working and some illumination lights were out.

we got a used cluster, set the miles, installed it, and all the sudden his...
SRS light
ABS light
SES light
were all ON.

checked the old cluster, all 3 of those bulbs were burned out. guy was NOT happy! :lol:

[brk34]

What is an SES?

[davidlwade]

First off, welcome to the site!

If you have an Autozone nearby, they can run a diagnostic on your car for free to see if there are any codes being thrown. If you've just recently bought your car, my initial guess is that you will have a CEL code and whoever sold you the car took the bulb out of the gauge behind the CEL icon to hide that fact. I know that's a grim and pessimistic assessment, but considering that particular bulb sees maybe 3 seconds of use a day, it's not a likely one to burn out.

The bulb type is 74, an easy to find size that is available in any store that sells automotive replacement bulbs. If you can't get your OBD2 read, try first replacing the bulb (use the search for instructions on how to remove your instrument cluster - it's intimidating at first but super easy to do) and see if the light stays on or not.

thanks, I guess I should have mentioned all that, lol. I had already gone the route of checking the diagnostics of the car, and have long sinced fixed the problem ( i had an o2 sensor out). So there aren't any more codes being thrown. I've had the car almost 2 yrs now and have had it inspected before. A few different people were telling me it was probably the bulb out. I wanted to check with the collective knowledge that you all represent to see if this situation was common. I do appreciate all the help.

And thanks to all for the welcome comments.
If needed, I'm here
If possible, I'm at your service

David

[Bitter]

SES = service engine soon

[rapidfire]

Hello!! i need some help please!!
my check engine light comes on a few day ago, it was the O2 Sensor, i bought a new one and its already installed, i took out the EFI, HORN and ECU fusibles to reset the light codes, after a day driving, the check engine light turn ON again!! now... what else can i check to turn it off that light? or if you have the steps to how to intall the O2 oxygen sensor, could be fine, i would like to know if i did a mistake...thank you!!!

[Bitter]

OBVIOUSLY, you need to go get the code read again.

was that the ONLY code set? the way that OBD2 testing works is it goes down a check list, at certain problems it STOPS and sets a light, and DOES NOT continue testing.

case in point, a camry had a code for cam position sensor, replace distributor, clear code, code is gone, drives nice.

comes back 3 days later, check engine light is on again, now its insufficient EGR flow.

neat how that works huh?

jeep comes in for an engine light, small evap leak, fix that, goes home, 5 days later, is back, another evap code, ldp (leak detection pump) circuit problem or mechanical fault, replace the ldp, problem is gone.


a misfire code stops the checklist pretty early on, if thats been the sole code for the past however long, your light may come back on for other problems.

O2 sensors are pretty much first or 2nd on the OBD2 checklist.

[brk34]

SES = service engine soon

thanks