so when i bought the car, i didn't notice that the CEL doesn't turn on at all until i got it smogged the next day. That's when i noticed it didn't turn on at all. and my ecu is stock from what i can see, but it's not mounted to its place. It's just thrown under the carpet. Is it safe to say that the seller used the ol' "unplugging the CEL wire, bulb, and/or something else just to bypass the CEL? or can it possibly be that the wiring/bulb has just gone out. any advice would be great.
thanks.

 

If you're really worried about it just take your cluster out and look at the bulb (if it is there). I doubt that anyone would be motivated enough to figure out exactly how to mess with the wiring in order to make the CEL not work, unless they truly despised you for some reason and had some electrical knowledge.

 

How are we supposed to tell you why its not working. Check everything you mentioned, start with the bulb

 

Check the bulb and properly mount the ECU.