No Check Engine Light?

[speedyz2]

Hey,
I just bought a 2g DSM and noticed that for some reason the CEL doesn't flicker or anything when I turn over the engine. I'm not sure if this is normal or not, but usually when I've started up another car, the CEL flashes and goes off.

On this car it does not do that. I'm assuming that the bulb is gone or possibly something came unplugged? I didn't notice it before I purchased the car, so I'm hoping the previous owner didn't disconnect it and leave me with some larger problem

Any ideas on this? Is there a hookup somewhere or if it's the bulb, how do I take out the cluster to get to it. Thanks for any help guys.

P.S - If I missed something on a search, I apologize.

 

[talonalex92]

Take the cluster out, witch is like the easiest thing ever and then shine a light through the back of it. If the CEL looks light up, the bulbs not in it. Thats no good.

 

[speedyz2]

Take the cluster out, witch is like the easiest thing ever and then shine a light through the back of it. If the CEL looks light up, the bulbs not in it. Thats no good.

Will do, thanks for the advice. God, I hope it's just a bulb

 

[1992awdlaser]

Check the lighter fuse also.

 

[speedyz2]

Ouch hope the seller didn't fudge it to hide engine problems.

Yeah, me to. The engine runs really strong with no other problems, no stuttering/stalling/etc, so I'm hoping its just the bulb.

The guy I bought it from sounded like a sound guy too. He told me there was nothing wrong with the car except the door locks not working. Now I'm finding the cruise control doesn't work and a couple other things. Goes to show you can't seem to trust anyone these days.

 

[speedyz2]

Check the lighter fuse also.

Jeez, quick replies here. The light around the lighter works, is that on the same fuse as the lighter plug?

Also wanted to say thanks for all the quick replies, I really appreciate it. Oh and thanks for one of the other threads with the fuse cover pictures. The one on the driver side was gone.

 

[1992awdlaser]

I'm not sure if it is or not. Most likely it is though. I would still check it before pulling the gauges.

 

[Artago]

Why don't you hook up a OBDII scan tool and see if there are any CEL codes? If there are then the bulb is missing / burned out / disconnected. Just my $0.02.

Good luck with the new car.

Tom

 

[speedyz2]

Why don't you hook up a OBDII scan tool and see if there are any CEL codes? If there are then the bulb is missing / burned out / disconnected. Just my $0.02.

Good luck with the new car.

Tom

I was thinking of doing this actually. Thanks for the help though.

 

[Project2G]

Yeah, me to. The engine runs really strong with no other problems, no stuttering/stalling/etc, so I'm hoping its just the bulb.

The guy I bought it from sounded like a sound guy too. He told me there was nothing wrong with the car except the door locks not working. Now I'm finding the cruise control doesn't work and a couple other things. Goes to show you can't seem to trust anyone these days.

I was thinking the same thing. If you need another bulb I have extra's. I'm sure it's illegal to sell a car like this, well if you find out that they removed the bulb that would be extremely shady.

 

[speedyz2]

I was thinking the same thing. If you need another bulb I have extra's. I'm sure it's illegal to sell a car like this, well if you find out that they removed the bulb that would be extremely shady.

Thanks, I'm going to take a look. I just went down to take another look under the hood (after doing some searching on here with some engine pictures) and found that the solenoids that the throttle body connects to are gone(see pic) The yellow box is what I don't have and the other yellow is showing how one tube is setup. It goes from the top one into the second one. There isn't even a hose on the third. I'm assuming that could be why the CEL is gone?

This is becoming more of a headache than I might be willing to doWTF

BTW: I appreciate everyones help, considering I'm no expert at all when it comes to mechanics. Think the guy kind of took advantage of that...

 

[1992awdlaser]

^You need to stop posting like that.


Those sensors won't make the cel stay off. If anything it will turn it on.

 

[speedyz2]

^You need to stop posting like that.


Those sensors won't make the cel stay off. If anything it will turn it on.

Oh sorry, what I meant was that if it turned it on, maybe that's why the previous owner took out the bulb/disconnected the light? Basically just thinking out loud, sorry about that.

goldgetta - I'm assuming you're just messing around, but I'd appreciate just being civil. I know I'm not a wizard when it comes to cars, so I apologize, but that's why there are forums like this with helpful people.

 

[1992awdlaser]

Don't pay attention to that guy. He will be gone before you know it. Keep asking any questions you have. And based on what both of you have said in this thread it sounds like you know more then him. Thats a start and we will teach you a lot more.

There is no reason to apologize to him. The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked. You know what I mean?

 

[speedyz2]

Don't pay attention to that guy. He will be gone before you know it. Keep asking any questions you have. And based on what both of you have said in this thread it sounds like you know more then him. Thats a start and we will teach you a lot more.

There is no reason to apologize to him. The only stupid question is the one that isn't asked. You know what I mean?

Yes, I definitely do.

On another note, do I need those solenoids/sensors? The car seems to run pretty nicely without it, but I don't know what they actually do apart from passing info onto the ECU. I read what it said in this link, but it's kind of jibberish to me. What I took from it, is that those are part of the emissions and I bought the car from NY. Does NY not have emission standards?

Thanks again for all the help, just trying to figure out how bad I got screwed over....

 

[1992awdlaser]

NY does have emissions. I know because I live in Syracuse NY (and I have my inspectors license). I am temporarily in NC though. On a 2g I don't know what they do. The sensors on the firewall of a 1g don't need to be there though. So I am assuming they are the same thing.

 

[speedyz2]

NY does have emissions. I know because I live in Syracuse NY (and I have my inspectors license). I am temporarily in NC though. On a 2g I don't know what they do. The sensors on the firewall of a 1g don't need to be there though. So I am assuming they are the same thing.

Wow, I actually went down and bought the car about 10mins away from syracuse. .

I'm having a mechanic take a look at the car tomorrow, so hopefully we can see. He said that I don't really need those solenoids and also that would throw the CEL light. So problem solved. It looks as though the guy just pulled the bulb or something to that effect because of the missing sensors, instead of actually fixing everything...