sweetpink

So went to get car smogged and they say that the check engine light should come on and go off well it doesn't so he needs to open the dash to see if its burnt out or someone tampered wirh it, i did buy it used. The car runs great. No smoke or anything. Anyone have any knowledge? I just didn't have the funds for the guy to do it today. Kinda freaking out

craklingice

I am not sure what car you are driving but if you google LED gauge cluster how to for your car then you should be able to find out how to replace the bulb that way.

As far as the light coming on, it should come on and go out when the car is started. If your car is '95 or newer I would like to think that a simple code scan and a 'you should fix that' should have been enough to get you through smog.

sweetpink

2000 honda civic. the guy said the light should go on and off when he starts the car but it isn't. So it should just be the bulb? Thanks for your reply.

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

Yes, when you first turn the key to ON(II), it should turn on for ~3 seconds, then turn back off. If it doesn't, then the bulb is probably burnt out. See this thread.

Also, before creating threads in the future, please familiarize yourself with the rules sticky at the top of this subforum. "help" is not an acceptable thread title, and the OP must include car information, as well as any relevant modifications. Super simple rules.

Former User

This^

Title edited, and please do visit the Rules sticky.

sweetpink

I apologize but I actually didnt create a title, I think it generated one. I will remember next time. Thanks for the responses but the people who sold me the car took the light out to mask 4 different codes .

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

And the next time you buy a car, you'll know to check that the CEL comes on, then turns off. Both of my Hondas have done it, both of my Subarus do it, and even the 2500HD does it. I'm not going to say for sure that it's an industry standard type of thing, but at least from what I've seen, it's a safe bet.

And yes, you did make the thread title when you created the thread. That's how forums work.

sweetpink

Absolutely . I don't know the first thing about cars of any type,but slowly I'm learning the basics.
I apologize for the issue. I was just desperate to find out and didn't bother reading the rules. Clearly.

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

It's all good, **** happens. You're already doing better than most first time posters do

Given your self-admitted newness, you might also want to give the FAQ sticky a read. There's a LOT of information in there for someone just like you.

sweetpink

Thank you for the help. I've read through the rules and will also be reading the sticky faqs.��✌

tony_2018

God damn, first noob to post an honest mistake. Repped if possible.

Youtube check engine light 2000 honda civic and you'll see where the bulb is suppose to be. From there if you google on how to remove gauge cluster you can replace the bulb that way.

hcv1122

You might want to check the bulb itself behind the cluster, it's easy. 2 bolts for the cover, and 4 bolts for the cluster itself. As soon as you disconnect the connectors you can pull the cluster out and try swapping bulbs, worth a try.

NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

And you might want to check a thread before saying what multiple people already have.