I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Topic: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?! (Read 3681 times) previous topic - next topic

I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

December 09, 2004, 08:16:19 PM

I never knew what those holes under the digital dash thing where for until i was using a spotlight to work on my steering column...I notice a little yellow square, i put the light up to it and bam, check engine....i have no bulb in there, nor do i even have a socket for it. Maybe the previous owner ripped it out because it wasn't turning off or am i wrong and instead it's a different light in the dash?

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #1 – December 09, 2004, 08:36:10 PM

Some of the cars didn't come with a functional check engine light. Which ones, I don't think anyone's sure.

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #2 – December 10, 2004, 12:01:30 AM

more like most of the cars dont have check engine lights

the only cars ive seen that had working lights have been the 87-88 turbo coupes

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #3 – December 10, 2004, 12:06:57 AM

Add my '88 LX to the list, the check engine light works on it. Full digi-dash. The '86 has the base digi-dash, and no functional check engine light.

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #4 – December 10, 2004, 12:09:21 AM

I'm unsure if mine works...only lights up when engine isn't on and key is turned to run. Besides that, it never lights up

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #5 – December 10, 2004, 02:12:12 AM

lol, I have an 88 Tbird with full digital, and I've never seen it light up

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #6 – December 10, 2004, 05:06:00 AM

who cares if it works - they're just a nuisance anyways

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #7 – December 10, 2004, 05:12:25 AM

I care. I pulled EEC codes with mine.

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #8 – December 10, 2004, 10:24:04 AM

You can pull codes with or without a light. Having it in the dash probably makes it easier though.

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #9 – December 10, 2004, 12:00:00 PM

Several years ago my car stalled with a dead battery and no warning lights that the alternator was not charging.

I installed an buttstuffog volt meter in the panel next to the cigerette lighter in my '84 T-Bird to monitor the battery and to see if it was charging.

While I was at it I installed a toggle switch and ran some wires from the self test connectors.

Now I can turn on the switch and read the codes on the meter in the car.

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #10 – December 21, 2004, 01:22:19 PM

i had an 87 cougar full digital das it worked and i had a88 cougar base cluster and it worked on that as well. im just not sure bout my 84.

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #11 – December 21, 2004, 01:45:47 PM

'84s have engine lights, but they're only connected to the temp sensor and oil pressure switch to alert you of overheating and/or low oil pressure. Guages are better, in that instance.

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #12 – December 22, 2004, 10:41:49 AM

Decided to ask this here instead of making a new thread.

On my '88 I have the check engine light, and I used the cheap wire connector trick to pull codes through the dash light. I'd like to try and pull codes on the '86 as well, but there are complications. It has no working check engine light, so my little wire connector is useless. I have a multimeter, but unfortunately it's digital.. and every how-to on pulling codes with a multimeter states to use an buttstuffog. (I understand why) I'm not going to buy a second multimeter just for pulling codes on one 'Bird.. and I'd rather not have to buy a code-puller for one 'Bird.

What I'm wondering is this: In a situation like this, is it possible to make a jumper wire similar to what I used on the '88, but put a 12v light on the jumper and use that light to pull the codes? If you've seen the pic I took of my 3-gauge cluster, you may have noticed a small blue light stuck in front of it.. I hooked that in for extra light to the gauges. I have a spare light of that size (not LED) that I'd use for something like this, if it'll work.

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #13 – December 22, 2004, 11:11:47 AM

yeah its called a test light. thinderchicken may have the diagram to do this with the test light or was it masterblaster

but i saw a post from one of them concerning using the test light methoid of testing for codes like that.

Re: I have no check engine bulb even a bulb socket?!

Reply #14 – December 22, 2004, 11:22:35 AM

But can it be done in the same simple way as the jumper I made for the other car, or do I need extra connections like in the other methods? I'd prefer to just tack on a couple connectors to the wires coming from this light, and git 'er done.