Any way to wire in an auxiliary Check Engine Light?

[Dtinnc]

I had a persistent check engine light and finally was able to clear the codes etc. The problem is that the CEL doesn't come on anymore and hadn't for the last few weeks. The car is running ok but the inspections site needs to see the CEL come on and then visibly go out in order to pass.

It appears that the instrument cluster is one whole unit. Given that I'm against the clock trying to get the car to pass is there a way to tap into some wiring and attach a temp light?

I'm electrically capable but little if any info exists on this type of situation because it's so rare...

Thank you for any help.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

did the LED on the cluster burn out? it happens. if you are taking everything out, it might be easier to de-solder the bad LED and solder in a replacement LED

this is for a BMW, but it will give you an idea of what has to be done:

List of all possible BMW E39 instrument cluster text warnings & text messages by bluebee

List of all possible BMW E39 instrument cluster text warnings & text messages Compliments of bluebee @ www.bimmerfest.com 4-22-2011 EDIT: Clarified MID confusion as per JimLev. EDIT: Added TRANS FAILSAFE PROG (& description) as

www.diyauto.com

it's actually pretty simple, back when I was into modding cars I used to change the yuck color yellow and green backlighting in GMs and Chryslers to Red or Blue for forum members of those clubs.

 

[Dtinnc]

did the LED on the cluster burn out? it happens. if you are taking everything out, it might be easier to de-solder the bad LED and solder in a replacement LED

this is for a BMW, but it will give you an idea of what has to be done:

List of all possible BMW E39 instrument cluster text warnings & text messages by bluebee

List of all possible BMW E39 instrument cluster text warnings & text messages Compliments of bluebee @ www.bimmerfest.com 4-22-2011 EDIT: Clarified MID confusion as per JimLev. EDIT: Added TRANS FAILSAFE PROG (& description) as

www.diyauto.com

it's actually pretty simple, back when I was into modding cars I used to change the yuck color yellow and green backlighting in GMs and Chryslers to Red or Blue for forum members of those clubs.

Thank you for the reply. Yes I think it's burned out. Repairing the LED is my backup plan since I'm trying to avoid getting into a big project until after. I'll check the attachment. Really appreciate it.

 

[Dtinnc]

figured removing the cluster is a bit of a job. Perhaps it's not that bad...

 

[Mr. Incredible]

figured removing the cluster is a bit of a job. Perhaps it's not that bad...

in most cars it is 4-8 screws and some clipped in panels.

 

[NSXNEXT]

I'm confused. So you've forced the CEL (pulling a fuse, etc.) And it doesn't light up?

 

[Mr. Incredible]

I'm confused. So you've forced the CEL (pulling a fuse, etc.) And it doesn't light up?

He had a CEL,, he cleared it, Now the CEL light won’t come on when forced as is required at inspection apparently.

My guess is the CEL LED burned out..

 

[Dtinnc]

Yes the light bulb is burned out. I was able to remove the cluster (relatively easy) and here's a pic of the back of the instrument cluster (after separating the front translucent cover and rear cover).

The "160" on the base doesn't seem to correlate to a product. The oil light had a 167 on it and they appear identical.

The contacting tabs and 12v 1.1w seen to be the best info to obtain replacement.

Thanks for all the info. Definitely helped.

 

[Dtinnc]

I'm confused. So you've forced the CEL (pulling a fuse, etc.) And it doesn't light up?

Btw there's only one fuse to the cluster that I could find... And it didn't light up. Once I removed it, I checked with an ohm meter and confirmed. Thank you

 

[joegr]

Okay, an incandescent bulb burning out makes a lot more sense than an LED failing.

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[Mr. Incredible]

Okay, an incandescent bulb burning out makes a lot more sense than an LED failing.

I've seen both over the years. LEDs are not infallible

 

[Mr. Incredible]

Yes the light bulb is burned out. I was able to remove the cluster (relatively easy) and here's a pic of the back of the instrument cluster (after separating the front translucent cover and rear cover).

The "160" on the base doesn't seem to correlate to a product. The oil light had a 167 on it and they appear identical.

The contacting tabs and 12v 1.1w seen to be the best info to obtain replacement.

Thanks for all the info. Definitely helped.

here you go: says VW, but it is a standard OSRAM 1.1w 12-v instrument cluster blub, works on many makes/models.

Amazon.com: VW (89-05) Dash instrument Bulb (x5) Clear Glass with Orange Base : Everything Else

Amazon.com: VW (89-05) Dash instrument Bulb (x5) Clear Glass with Orange Base : Everything Else

www.amazon.com

 

[Dtinnc]

here you go: says VW, but it is a standard OSRAM 1.1w 12-v instrument cluster blub, works on many makes/models.

Amazon.com: VW (89-05) Dash instrument Bulb (x5) Clear Glass with Orange Base : Everything Else

Amazon.com: VW (89-05) Dash instrument Bulb (x5) Clear Glass with Orange Base : Everything Else

www.amazon.com

Awesome thank you.

 

[Mr. Incredible]

Awesome thank you.

no problem, please update the thread when you pass inspection..

 

[joegr]

I've seen both over the years. LEDs are not infallible

Yes, I've designed in a fair amount of them. We did get a bad batch once that had several failures. This was at the first of the transition to RoHS compliant ones. Other than that, 99.9% of the time, good LEDs being correctly driven, slowly (as in over years of use) fade out, rather than suddenly failing like incandescents burning out. (LEDs don't "burn" out. You can overdrive them and melt them, and of course they can fail from manufacturing defects. They do slowly "wear out"...)

 

[Mr. Incredible]

Yes, I've designed in a fair amount of them. We did get a bad batch once that had several failures. This was at the first of the transition to RoHS compliant ones. Other than that, 99.9% of the time, good LEDs being correctly driven, slowly (as in over years of use) fade out, rather than suddenly failing like incandescents burning out. (LEDs don't "burn" out. You can overdrive them and melt them, and of course they can fail from manufacturing defects. They do slowly "wear out"...)

the term "burnt" wasn't really meant literally, just lingo to indicate it was no longer functioning

 

[madden59]

Yes the light bulb is burned out. I was able to remove the cluster (relatively easy) and here's a pic of the back of the instrument cluster (after separating the front translucent cover and rear cover).

The "160" on the base doesn't seem to correlate to a product. The oil light had a 167 on it and they appear identical.

The contacting tabs and 12v 1.1w seen to be the best info to obtain replacement.

Thanks for all the info. Definitely helped.

Hi could you possible post how you took the cluster out ? I have exactly the same issue on my 2010 genesis 4,6 sedan . Any step by step help would be greatly appreciated

 

[madden59]

Yes the light bulb is burned out. I was able to remove the cluster (relatively easy) and here's a pic of the back of the instrument cluster (after separating the front translucent cover and rear cover).

The "160" on the base doesn't seem to correlate to a product. The oil light had a 167 on it and they appear identical.

The contacting tabs and 12v 1.1w seen to be the best info to obtain replacement.

Thanks for all the info. Definitely helped.

Hi , thanks for info. Any chance you could post how you removed instrument cluster . I have similar problem with check engine light on my 2009 genesis 4.6 sedan . Any step by step recap would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[cfedsasd]

Removing the dashboard is not that difficult. It is enough to unscrew a few screws and remove the excess plastic. You can find more information in the instruction manual. Otherwise, the procedures are the same as on any other car. In general, I always start with the fuses in such cases, and no matter how many times I've had light problems, I've replaced the fuse. Your situation is quite strange, and I would advise you to contact an electrician in such cases. I encounter more often than problems with LEDs at home than in the car. I often forget to turn off the lights, and the bulbs burn out.

 

[joegr]

Removing the dashboard is not that difficult. It is enough to unscrew a few screws and remove the excess plastic. ...

Dashboard != instrument cluster.
Removing the instrument cluster is not difficult. Removing the dash would be very involved.