Is it possible the dealership disconnected the check engine light? This would have happened years ago....my truck is a 94. I used to have a lot of issues with the egr valve and before I figured out how easy it was to change I would bring it to the dealer....prob about 3-4 times. I can't be sure but I seem to remember one of the service guys telling me he disconnected it. Truck has had misfire issue (at idle) for a while now but light never comes on to check codes. Have recently had tune up and has new cpi spider injector....still has misfire. Checked most vacuum lines and replaced some but still no good.
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disconnected check engine light?
- Thread starter threecar
- Start date
happy 2011
New member
how to check your check engine light. turn key to on (engine off) light should light up start tk light should go out.
greg409
New member
Yes, it's possible - My toyota had the abs,cel bulbs removed b/4 I bought it, the emission test brought it to my attn'
It's illegal, at least in inspection states, but who's going to admit it?
luck,greg
It's illegal, at least in inspection states, but who's going to admit it?
luck,greg
how to check your check engine light. turn key to on (engine off) light should light up start tk light should go out.
wow sometimes things are just too easy. thnx. will check later.
happy 2011
New member
well i have never see a law that says your can't remove the bulbs for check engine lights or abs and so on.
I'm here in NH anyone ever seen a law about this?
I'm here in NH anyone ever seen a law about this?
greg409
New member
Threecar asked if the dealership could have disconnected/removed the indicator lights
I said it's illegal to disable emission equiptment in sates that require emission testing -
that is what I was informed on my re-test (after I replaced the bulbs and installed (3) new o2 sensors)
If I were to remove any safety/emission related indicater lights, I could easily sell a vehicle that I didn't want to repair for more than it's worth
I live in Illinois, which is a mandatory inspection state. - I don't know where threecar lives, but NH is a mandatory OBD testing state, so they (like IL,) plug you in to test - at least according to their DMV website
Additionally, a '94 vehicle is exempt in both our states.
luck,greg
I said it's illegal to disable emission equiptment in sates that require emission testing -
that is what I was informed on my re-test (after I replaced the bulbs and installed (3) new o2 sensors)
If I were to remove any safety/emission related indicater lights, I could easily sell a vehicle that I didn't want to repair for more than it's worth
I live in Illinois, which is a mandatory inspection state. - I don't know where threecar lives, but NH is a mandatory OBD testing state, so they (like IL,) plug you in to test - at least according to their DMV website
Additionally, a '94 vehicle is exempt in both our states.
luck,greg
Last edited:
well i have never see a law that says your can't remove the bulbs for check engine lights or abs and so on.
I'm here in NH anyone ever seen a law about this?
Florida has a law that requires brakes to be on all wheels
and working . ( with a few exceptions - like antiques )
So my guess is that removing a brake light bulb ( or possibly the ABS bulb ) to hide a defect / issue would be illegal .
And
If memory serves me , it's also against the law to sell a car
with a brake defect / issue , so removing the bulbs to hide
the problem would again most likely be considered as aiding in that .
I'm guessing the law came about as a way to make used car dealers
( or even individuals ) liable for what they are putting on the road
instead of some unsuspecting buyer .
PS -
Commercial vehicles ( tractor trailers ) have warning lights ( and or alarms )
for low air to the brakes.
If they don't work the vehicle CANNOT legally be put on the road ,
and I'd sure hate to be the driver or the guy that pulled those bulbs
when the DOT inspector shows up at the accident scene...
Commercial vehicles ( tractor trailers ) have warning lights ( and or alarms )
for low air to the brakes.
If they don't work the vehicle CANNOT legally be put on the road ,
and I'd sure hate to be the driver or the guy that pulled those bulbs
when the DOT inspector shows up at the accident scene...
happy 2011
New member
ok now like i asked did anyone see a law not guess there is a law. I do inspections in NH and yes we have OBD as well. Now this is what i am talking about to the letter of the law in NH inspection rules.
Check engine light comanded on with no codes will pass
Key on.... no check engine light on with no codes will pass
Key on with no check engine light with codes will fail
Engine running with light on with codes will fail.
ABS light on while running will fail
No ABS light on with key on will pass.
So if there is no bulb you will pass.Same with check engine light.
In NH you don't need any seat belts in car for a sticker ALSO air bags can be blown and as long as you remove the bags you will pass.
Bottom line is as long as there are no codes in PCM you get a sticker
Also no brake light on running you get a sticker
This is to the letter of the law does not make it right but if you fail it they can go cry to the state and you will have to pass them.
They really need to update the laws and how there writen.
Check engine light comanded on with no codes will pass
Key on.... no check engine light on with no codes will pass
Key on with no check engine light with codes will fail
Engine running with light on with codes will fail.
ABS light on while running will fail
No ABS light on with key on will pass.
So if there is no bulb you will pass.Same with check engine light.
In NH you don't need any seat belts in car for a sticker ALSO air bags can be blown and as long as you remove the bags you will pass.
Bottom line is as long as there are no codes in PCM you get a sticker
Also no brake light on running you get a sticker
This is to the letter of the law does not make it right but if you fail it they can go cry to the state and you will have to pass them.
They really need to update the laws and how there writen.
greg409
New member
Check engine light comanded on with no codes will pass
Key on.... no check engine light on with no codes will pass
Key on with no check engine light with codes will fail
Engine running with light on with codes will fail.
ABS light on while running will fail
No ABS light on with key on will pass.
So if there is no bulb you will pass.Same with check engine light.
In NH you don't need any seat belts in car for a sticker ALSO air bags can be blown and as long as you remove the bags you will pass.
Bottom line is as long as there are no codes in PCM you get a sticker
Also no brake light on running you get a sticker
This is to the letter of the law does not make it right but if you fail it they can go cry to the state and you will have to pass them.
They really need to update the laws and how there writen.[/QUOTE]
The way I'm reading your text re: emissions, if you have a code, but no bulb - you fail or if you have the light and codes, you fail -
Regarding Abs: there's many obdII vehicles that don't have Abs at all and I know in Il. they don't pop your hood to check, so I imagine someone would get away with removing the abs bulb.
But why would you not want it working unless you're off-roading?
luck,greg
Key on.... no check engine light on with no codes will pass
Key on with no check engine light with codes will fail
Engine running with light on with codes will fail.
ABS light on while running will fail
No ABS light on with key on will pass.
So if there is no bulb you will pass.Same with check engine light.
In NH you don't need any seat belts in car for a sticker ALSO air bags can be blown and as long as you remove the bags you will pass.
Bottom line is as long as there are no codes in PCM you get a sticker
Also no brake light on running you get a sticker
This is to the letter of the law does not make it right but if you fail it they can go cry to the state and you will have to pass them.
They really need to update the laws and how there writen.[/QUOTE]
The way I'm reading your text re: emissions, if you have a code, but no bulb - you fail or if you have the light and codes, you fail -
Regarding Abs: there's many obdII vehicles that don't have Abs at all and I know in Il. they don't pop your hood to check, so I imagine someone would get away with removing the abs bulb.
But why would you not want it working unless you're off-roading?
luck,greg
OK light does come on when I turn key then goes off when engine starts. Failed emissions 2 yrs ago at NJ insp station. Went to a private garage and the owner charges me $75 and "tests" emissions and I get a passed sticker good for 2 yrs. He also told me not to bother going to the state facility as they are going to fail me next time also. I ask how my truck passed and he says something like "we worked with the numbers" so I say fine. I go back this year and find out the guy recently died and son is running shop. They charge me the $75 but then it fails for at idle reading and they say they need to do tune up to get it to pass....I know the game now and they just want more $$$ for me to get a sticker...fine ok...mechanic says it passed after tune up but still has a little bit of a misfire at idle. Just replaced spider myself and it was great for a couple of days but now it has the misfire at idle again. I guess one question is why no codes if truck fails emissions and has obvious fuel/exhaust problem? Thanks for any help.
greg409
New member
What were the codes (specific numbers) - that will indicate misfire, o2 sensors,lean/rich condition etc.
I'm not certain how a '94 pcm collects data, but my '98 will turn on the CEL after 2 drive cycles with recurring malfunction. (my land rover was the same)
If I repair or if it was a fluke, after 3 drive cycles with no malfunctions it will turn off the CEL - but keep the code in memory (Did the "mechanic" clear your old codes?)
Does your truck misfire continually? - I agree that odds are it's fuel, since you say it ran great after R&R spider.
Do all the spark plugs look identical? (colorwise) if 1 is different, that's a lead
Although, to discolor you'd have a heck of a misfire.
If you have an induction timing light, try it on all your plug wires @ idle - if it skips, then the misfire may be in the cap, wires, or distributer itself. it's free and might narrow it down.
Kinda hard W/O code #'s or being there.
luck,greg
I'm not certain how a '94 pcm collects data, but my '98 will turn on the CEL after 2 drive cycles with recurring malfunction. (my land rover was the same)
If I repair or if it was a fluke, after 3 drive cycles with no malfunctions it will turn off the CEL - but keep the code in memory (Did the "mechanic" clear your old codes?)
Does your truck misfire continually? - I agree that odds are it's fuel, since you say it ran great after R&R spider.
Do all the spark plugs look identical? (colorwise) if 1 is different, that's a lead
Although, to discolor you'd have a heck of a misfire.
If you have an induction timing light, try it on all your plug wires @ idle - if it skips, then the misfire may be in the cap, wires, or distributer itself. it's free and might narrow it down.
Kinda hard W/O code #'s or being there.
luck,greg
happy 2011
New member
simple a 94 pcm does not set miss fire codes. can skip all day and no light will come on. This is becaues then they did not monitor miss fires with the crank sensor.