babyfacefitz Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 I got this 98 outback ready for my state inspection and I cannot pass b/c the check engine light (CEL) will not come on, evern at the beginning. The code for misfire and bad anti knock sensor has been cleared, after the parts were installed. I have never see the light come on, even when I has having engine trouble. For a DIY, what ideas can put the light out of commision. I have checked the fuses. Could it just be the bulb? Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All_talk Posted October 21, 2005 Share Posted October 21, 2005 yeah, it could be the bulb, some people even remove them so they dont have to look at the light (or before they sell a car ). It should come on with the key before you start that car. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babyfacefitz Posted October 22, 2005 Author Share Posted October 22, 2005 Well I got into the instrument panel and found the CEL bulb missing. Got a replacement and now it stays on. But I think the code should be clear. i will be checking on that tomorrow. Now once I have the panel together, my fuel gauge went to low and the with my driver door open, I get the signal for door open for the driver side and the rear hatch. I checked the wires,and all seem plug in. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hondasucks Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 And if you can't get it to shut off, Find the wire that goes to the CEL bulb, and wire it into the alternator light, that way it will behave normally (Key on, Engine off = light on, Start engine, light goes off) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodsWagon Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Aye, It twill look mighty good to the eye, but when the inspectors hook the obd2 connector up to the car and look in read data, it will say MIL on. Then the modification will be found and you will look like a donkey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Well I got into the instrument panel and found the CEL bulb missing. Got a replacement and now it stays on. But I think the code should be clear. i will be checking on that tomorrow. Now once I have the panel together, my fuel gauge went to low and the with my driver door open, I get the signal for door open for the driver side and the rear hatch. I checked the wires,and all seem plug in. Michael You need to start by getting an ODBII scan done. Find out what the code is and return with the #. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babyfacefitz Posted October 22, 2005 Author Share Posted October 22, 2005 Before I went I delt with the codes, anti knock, misfire. Once the car was running good I was "ready" but did not know the bulb was needed to pass. Once I put it in...I have some instrument issue. I went in to get the CEL light working, and found the CEL bulb missing. Got a replacement and now it stays on. Now once I have the panel together, my fuel gauge went to low and the with my driver door open, I get the signal for door open for the driver side and the rear hatch. I checked the wires,and all seem plug in. NOW that I read an old posting, it sounds like I have the ground issue like you mentioned. How did you fix that, put in a new ground wire to the battery? Thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnW Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Usually you can clean the existing grounds with a wire brush and put dielectic grease on the contacts to keep em good. Medium sized wire on top of the intake and another one usually on the transmission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babyfacefitz Posted October 22, 2005 Author Share Posted October 22, 2005 well I cleaned the battery connection and the two medium wires heading to the body and the top of the tranny. Used some dielectric grease too. It has not solved my fuel guage, cel issue. the fuel gauge worked before I replace the CEL bulb, but now even when I get the bulb out the fuel gauge does not work. On the security light, there are three wires, but the blue one is not connected to anything, is this something or just an extra wire? Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 I doubt that the ground leads are causing these new problems but you may have disconnected a ground connection on the instrument panel or a signal wire for the gas gauge. You may want to push on all the connectors near that area to see if that will help. Another possibility is, you crossed the wires that go to the problem areas somehow when you put things back together. For the CEL light problem, if there are no codes causing the light to be set on then there may be a problem within the ECU. I have repaired some that had a bad IC section causing the light to stay on continually. Normally, the ECU makes a ground connection to turn on the light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babyfacefitz Posted October 22, 2005 Author Share Posted October 22, 2005 thanks for the reply. Where do I find the ECU? What is a diagnosis for it being broken? I do believe this might be the case. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cougar Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 If there are no stored codes and the light is on then the ECU is probably at fault. I think it is near the steering column under the dash. I think if you disconnect the battery for at least a half hour it will erase any stored codes in the ECU. The memory for the engine will be lost also so you will need to go through the proceedure for the engine to relearn itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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