87 cougar check engine light February 28, 2010, 05:51:49 PM I live in California with retarded emission standards. I have a V6 cougar that passes the emission side of the emission test but it wont pass completely until the guy sees the check engine light come on for 3 seconds when you turn the car on. The guy says to just replace the bulb, but I cant find it. I pulled off the dash and got into the instrument panel and still dont see where the light is supposed to be or how to get to it. The section on here about the instrument panel was imformative, but it doesnt say where the lights are supposed to be or how to get into it. I have the "base" dash that has the digital speedo, but is not the full electronic dash. Any help would be appreciated. Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #1 – February 28, 2010, 07:36:42 PM shine a flashlight along the lower left of the instrument cluster and you will see the section allocated to the check engine bulb.from there you can get to it pretty easy. I guess your biggest concern was locating the light. Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #2 – February 28, 2010, 09:51:01 PM Thanks for the help. I found where it was supposed to be. The problem now is finding a new socket and installing it since someone took it out before me. I have a feeling that the light is going to be on all the time because of some stupid computer code. Whats the protocol for clearing the check engine light? Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #3 – February 28, 2010, 11:07:47 PM Unhook your battery cable (positive) and let it sit for awhile. Overnight, if possible.Jesus, Cali is worried about a bulb in the dash? I suppose I'm an evil evil person for having gutted cats. Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #4 – February 28, 2010, 11:12:58 PM Quote from: Imsickofweed;312061Thanks for the help. I found where it was supposed to be. The problem now is finding a new socket and installing it since someone took it out before me. I have a feeling that the light is going to be on all the time because of some stupid computer code. Whats the protocol for clearing the check engine light?typically, you can borrow a socket from another function that is not either being used or wired ect. this is your call. Perhaps low washer fluid or some other socket you know is not emissions critical.advice 2,, if you love your state,, thats great. i just hear so many things i wonder sometimes how people can even afford to live there. Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #5 – February 28, 2010, 11:36:50 PM I thought about grabbing a socket from somewhere else, but its a special twist in socket that connects to a flexible print circuit the folds around from behind the instrument cluster. There is plastic behind it that the socket uses for leverage to make contact with the printed circuit tape. There are 2 other sockets tothe left of the check engine light, but there are no lenses for the bulbs positions and no spare sockets to use. Im making a trip to the Ford dealer tomorrow to procure one or two along with some spare bulbs. Ill try resetting the check engine with the battery, but Im doubtful because i just replaced the battery and have disconnected it a few times before that to charge the bad one overnight. I just hope the socket fixes my problem. As far as living in CA even though theyre buttstuff about dash bulbs, its worth it. Yes it costs more to live here, but you make more, there are more opportunities. Also the women are hotter, the weather is perfect and if you want to drive 2 hours you can be in the mountains (with snow), the desert, the forest, or a foreign country (Mexico). Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #6 – March 01, 2010, 12:31:39 AM you sound very loyal and proud,, respectable:Dwelcome to the board. Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #7 – March 02, 2010, 06:46:06 PM So I went to the junkyard and got myself a new socket and bulb for the check engine light. Now the light comes on for 3 seconds and then blinks for about a minute before shutting off. Does this mean check the engine or is this normal? Ive only had the car for a few weeks and ive never seen how it is supposed to be. Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #8 – March 02, 2010, 08:07:45 PM not normal.is there a jumper wire installed up at the connectors where codes are read?normal would be it comes on with the key in accy or for just a moment while cranking if at all. Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #9 – March 02, 2010, 08:15:37 PM QuoteJesus, Cali is worried about a bulb in the dash? In NY a car will fail for this as well. The DMV DOES send out undercover cars to check inspection stations on occasion to ensure that they are holding up to the standards set in place. The missing check engine light bulb is a common trick they use to trump up inspection stations.Fines for passing a car with a blatant violation (i.e. no cats) can be $1000.... Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #10 – March 02, 2010, 08:26:55 PM times are lean,, could start happening a lot more. Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #11 – March 02, 2010, 10:37:05 PM Where are codes read? Do i need special equipment for that or is there a display on the car? Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #12 – March 02, 2010, 11:54:18 PM its really easy,, just troll up to the search button,, lots and lots of posts on this plus diagrams with the tool you need.got a paper clip? Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #13 – March 03, 2010, 08:28:25 PM So I decided to just say shag it with the engine code bullshiznit. Why spend time and money fixing problems when I can just use my superior electrical knowledge to bypass this pesky check engine light?This is what I did. Picked up a 12VDC agastat (electronic timer) from Frys Electronics that's adjustable from 0.5-5 seconds. I then wired the ignition hot to the input of the agastat and the output of the agastat to the check engine light. Then adjusted the agastat to the required 3 seconds. When the car turns on the agastat lets the bulb light up for 3 seconds then shuts off until the ignition hot goes low, then hot again. The whole thing costs me around $10 for all the supplies, and with the agastat hidden under dash panels the emission technician is none the wiser. Im AWESOME!!! Quote Selected
87 cougar check engine light Reply #14 – March 03, 2010, 09:23:00 PM I applaud your ingenuity sir . I do think you might want to find out what is actually going on though Quote Selected
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