New guy here with a 92 Q45 Question!

[eraldovallejo]

I recently got myself a 92Q45 with 166K, I dont know to much the history behind the car but I went to get the smog done, by the way I am in Burbank California, anyways, it pass the smog part but it didnt pass the inginition inspection (the check engine light didnt come on before you turn on the car, so the guy didnt pass the car) also, because he couldnt read the timing on the car. Now my questions is where do I look to find out why the check engine light doesnt turn on at all, and does it have anything to do since yesterday I removed the battery to get the charge? The car was sitting for a while before I got her and the battery needed charge. and where can the guy check for the timing with his gun?

Thanks for all the help

[goody90q45]

You've got a couple of things that could be wrong with the CEL. It could be a burned out bulb in which case you'll need to remove all the trim starting at the shifter and ending with the instrument cluster removal. It's a lot of work. Or....

Take a chance that the previous owner didn't leave the ECU screw (on the back of the ECU) in the proper position after reading codes. This has happened to at least a few members (Where are you Sly?). It's much easier to pull the ECU than the instrument cluster.

Follow this thread until you get to the carpet flap picture and then remove the footwell panel covering the ECU :

zer...5-g50

Use this thread to check the ECU codes. First, you'll need to unplug the connector, remove the ECU, then plug the connector back in. Unfortunately, you can't get to the screw on the backside without removing the ECU first. You may want to do a search in the NICO Q45 forum for more specifics:

zerothread?id=60332

Here's the Q45 thread for checking ignition timing:

http://www.q45.org/checktiming.html

Welcome to NICO.

[maxnix]

Be sure to read the trunk of your car and even more importatntly, the Article above on timing chain guides.

[eraldovallejo]

Thanks bro for the info, I am going to look into that, another question is, I did remove the dash out because theguy told me that bolb might be out and needed replacement. on the back of the cluster there are about 8-10 bolbs on the right bottom portion of the cluster, she was missing 2 bolbs especially if not mistaking the one for the check engine and above it. is it suppost to have all the bolbs or was it standard missing 2?

[maxnix]

All bulbs are standard. Displays change with models and options.

[eraldovallejo]

Hello Maxnix,

But my question is when you look at the back of the cluster, is there suppost to be missing bolbs, are all the holes at the bottom right cover wiht the bolbs/brown cap or is it suppost to be missing 2? I am new at this so I am trying to figure it out

[goody90q45]

There should be no empty holes in the back of the cluster. They're all used. Knowing that two bulbs were removed by the PO you'll need to check the ECU codes anyway to figure out why.

[eraldovallejo]

Thanks Goody, I knew I wasnt crazy but then again, I just got the car, for the price I paid I cant complain so I am getting to know all the bads little by little, I am going to get the missing lights today.