I think I found the reason for my check engine light. I took my car for a spin for the very first time, and the speedometer is not working. I know if you have a bad cable or if its disconnected it will cause a check engine light. I installed my cable but lost the retaining clip. When I first started it up, the light came on, I wasnt driving when the light came on, maybe after I started it up the cable popped out or something idk. Could the missing clip cause a CEL? lol thanks

 

bump.. Anyone?

 

Why don't you check what the code is?

 

I don't have a code, just a solid CEL.

 

A solid CEL as in solid light on the ECU itself or the gauge cluster?

 

Missing clip won't cause the cel.
The fact that your ECU isn't receiving any speed info DOES cause a CEL.
A great indicator of this problem is a speedo that is not working.
BUT - only when you are driving.
If you have a CEL when idling, then you have more problems.

You can make a clip with a strand of wire. Just wrap it around through the notch in the drive gear assembly and make sure the notch lines up with the grove in the speedo cable. (Twist it around the assembly and pull up on the speedo cable so it engages the wire.)

 

The CEL will not come on from a missing VSS signal until the vehicle has been in motion for a certain amount of time. The ECU needs to figure out the signal is missing before it can alert you its not there.

Therefore, if the CEL came on before you put the car into motion, it is being caused by something else.


The VSS signal is generated by your gauge cluster. If the gauge cluster is not showing a speed, its not generating a pulse for the ECU, which eventually once you get your other CEL figured out, will need to be figured out as well. Generally, you just need to shove that ******* cable into the tranny really good n hard. I dont even think mine has a stay clip on it right now. Once its in there, is usually stays put.

 

I dont have a clip tooo,and no problem at all just shove it hard !!!