Check Engine Light doesn't work

[centralcoaster33]

Please help. I have a 1997 240sx se 5-speed. My TPS went bad and I also replaced my transmission with an S13 transmission. OBD-II diagnoses throws a code for both sensors not working. I'm replacing the TPS tonight and hopefully getting help with drilling some holes in the transmission for the CAS. Anyway, I have no red light coming on and should. SMOG is due the 20th of this month so I need a light. It may have burnt out but I suspect it was somehow turned off by the previous owner. I'm hoping there's a way I can fix it without taking out my dash. So, how might they have disabled it? Is there a place where I can look for a specific cut wire? Is the bulb accessible from below the dash? Does anyone know where to get replacement CELs? If I must, can I possible get the light from the check oil signal to light up the CEL? Oh, and is there anyway to bypass or fake the CAS signal or do I really have to go and pull my transmission and drill? Thanks.

[480sx]

Owch, the s13 transmission is gona kill you with emmisions. For as cheap as you can find an s14 transmission i would think it would be easier just to buy one and put it in. I have seen them for less than 150 on ebay.

As far as the CEL light im not realy sure, check the FSM and see what you can find, there has to be a wire running to it from the ECU.

Also, as long as you have cleared all your emmisions related codes you dont need a working CEL lmao.

[centralcoaster33]

Thanks. I don't know about a working transmission for only $150, that sounds sketchy. I have to take off the current one either to drill two holes in it or to put in an s14 transmission and I feel the two holes will be cheaper. I am concerned my Crank angle sensor still wont work because a chunck of it was broken off by the last transmission. Does anyone have a picture of this sensor? Or want to sell one for cheap? As far as smog, I think my light must turn on when the keys are on but the engine is off or I don't pass, codes or not. I'll call the ref and verify. Yeah, I should crack open the ol' FSM and look at the wire diagrams again.

[gordonliu]

funny, i have exactly the same problem on my 90 s13 (CEL). none of the bulbs on the left hand side turn on with the key, but the cruise light does work when im driving, so i have no idea. i think it may be a pulled fuse.

[centralcoaster33]

Well, some of my lights work on each side. Actually, every light works except for the CEL. I still haven't pulled the dash yet. I talked myself out of it this weekend when I thought that I should buy a replacement bulb first, then pull it apart. Then I was looking at it and I think I can just try to pull the bezel and then the instrument cluster. I read somewhere that the bulbs kinda pop in and out of the back of it with knobs. So I might switch the seatbelt or oil bulb to the CEL spot if I can't find a replacement. I fixed my TPS and CAS, but then my first O2 went out. So that and the light and I'm ready for smog. Maybe yours is a fuse gordonliu, I would hope that halfs of gauge clusters wouldn't go bad.

[gordonliu]

so far its not a fuse and its not a bulb (as far as i can tell).

just so that you know, taking the instrument cluster out takes less than 20 minutes on an s13.

[s13satch]

Also, as long as you have cleared all your emmisions related codes you dont need a working CEL lmao.

I don't know about other states, but in MD the CEL light must be working properly for a car to pass an OBD II emisssions test.

[480sx]

Your probably right, but would a CEL not working throw a code? I have a code scanner of my own, and when i run an emissions test with it, as far as i know it doesnt check the CEL.

I guess what im getting at is while your probably right, i think it would be an oversight on most emissions checks.

[s13satch]

I work as an emissions inspector right now (god the job market sucks in my hometown) and as part of the OBD II test, the CEL must function properly. If it does not, the car will fail. The reason for this is because the CEL is meant to turn on when the ECU detects a problem that would cause the car's tail pipe emissions to increase by 50%. If the CEL bulb is out, then a motorist could be driving around a car which is polluting and not even know it. Granted, most people don't know that the design of the OBD system and the CEL operation is emissions related, but they do know that there is something wrong that needs fixed when that CEL comes on.

[centralcoaster33]

To pass SMOG in CA, the CEL must function correctly, on with keys in on position and engine off and then turn off with keys on and engine on. This was easy for me to fix, I guess like the S13, the S14 has only four screws on the steering collumn, then two on top of the bezel, then 3 hold in the cluster. Very easy to get at the little christmas lights stuck to the back. FYI they were bulbs, not fuses, with strange contacts that make them look sort of like a fuse. I just pulled my cruise control bulb and put it in the hole for the CEL and it works great! I was happy to find no cut wires or fuses that needed checking. Just a hole where a bulb should have been. I never knew it was an orange colored light! A properly funtioning CEL is a good thing imho. FYI, the CEL has no self test or code of it's own. Yay me! I also fixed my TPS and bought a new CAS (old CAS was only half a sensor)! The real beach was taking out my s13 transmission again, drilling and threading holes in the bellhousing for the CAS and then putting it back together. Note to all putting an s13 transmission into an s14, it works and will be fine with SMOG but aside from just pulling and putting in a transmission, dont forget the following: drill the holes for your CAS, check all your posisiton sensors for continuity, swap the speed sensor, put in your short throw while its off the car, unstick and clean you drain and fill plugs all before installing the transmission or you'll end up doing it twice like me!