Anyone have a clue as to why my engine light does not come on even though the engine runs crappy- missing and blowing smoke. I don't know what controls the signal and the book is of no help. does the ECU send the check engine signal? The light illuminates when ignition is turned on - so bulbs okay.

 

The ecu does send the signal for the light. And the reason there is no light flashing could be that the ecu is the problem. Did you try doing the jumper thing to check for stored codes?

 

Many thanks Dicer - Have suspected the Ecu for a time now. Don't know of the jumper thing but will try to find info on it. Willing to try anything to get this car going again instead of being a garage queen. I've spent so much on it a bit more won't hurt. Have been looking for a OBD 1 reader but haven't come up with one. finding some stored codes would be good.