I spent some time searching and found lots of posts about what to do when the check engine light comes on for one reason or another, but not much about what to do when your check engine light will not illuminate.

I've pulled the instrument cluster to make sure it is not an issue with the bulb. In Arizona, they won't let you complete your emissions without making sure the check engine light is functioning in your vehicle. Apparently, they just turn the key to the on position and make sure it lights. Mine will not. After looking through the forums, it should light briefly before you start the vehicle. Anyone have any wisdom on the subject?

 

How did you check the bulb? With a multi meter? if not, use one and put into "continuity test", take your probes and touch both terminals of the bulb, if you hear a test tone, you have a good bulb. if not, then the bulb is blown.

 

I checked it by moving a bulb that I knew was functioning from another indicator light into the 'check engine' position - no dice. I just found another post that said sometimes the contacts can be a problem and suggested banging on the area. Not sure I want to try that...

 

Not sure I would bang around on the instrument cluster but I would take a peice of sandpaper and see if you could clean the contacts up a little. Have you tried reading the diagnostics port under the dash for any codes stored?

 

Just got finished cleaning the contacts. I haven't had the codes checked out yet, but that is probably my next step. I know the O2 sensor codes were read by AZ emissions - but even if they find no codes present, they won't let you pass emissions unless the check engine light is functional. Do you think there might be a code that would help determine what is causing the light not to illuminate?

 

If you disconnect the MAF sensor and try to turn it on, vehicle should die and throw a P0100 MAF code. I occasionally have done this by accident when doing intake modifications.

 

Ok, I went digging through my service manual. You will need to check voltage on some wires behind the instrument cluster. So pull it out and you are looking for the harness that has 7 wires on it with the following colors (brown, pink, black, green w/red stripe, black w/orange stripe, violet w/white stripe, and red w/black stripe) Brown is your ground and green w/ red stripe is positive to CEL indicator. You will need to probe these two contacts w/ your ingition switch to on to see if power is there. If not, you have a short some where down the line.

Hope this helps.....

 

That is a great help. I did identify the wire you are referring to. My neighbor is an electrician so he is good with a volt meter. I'll try to check it out further tomorrow when he can assist. I'll let you know what I find. Thanks so much for looking into it!

 

Are there any wiring diagrams out there that would be helpful if I have to trace the wire back from the instrument panel? I'm going to work on diagnosing the problem today. Hopefully I can isolate it to a certain area. Thanks for the feedback.