check engine light bulb

[spuhala]

So my car won't pass emissions test because the check engine light is blown, its storing a code in the cpu, how hard is it to remove the cluster from the dash and replace the bulb?

Click to read more...

 

[willizm]

what is the code?

 

[spuhala]

I have it at home, I know the light should have been on, I had a bad O2 sensor.

 

[willizm]

Well if you are failing emissions because of say a p0420 code then fixing the light on your dash isn't going to get you to pass emissions. Find out exactly what the code is that is being thrown, fix it (might just be a bad o2 sensor), reset the computer, and bring it in. if during the emissions testing he is pulling certain codes then it's not an issue with communicating to the PCM.

 

[Yaj Yak]

Well if you are failing emissions because of say a p0420 code then fixing the light on your dash isn't going to get you to pass emissions. Find out exactly what the code is that is being thrown, fix it (might just be a bad o2 sensor), reset the computer, and bring it in. if during the emissions testing he is pulling certain codes then it's not an issue with communicating to the PCM.

but he may also be failing emissions because the bulb is blown... if the bulb won't turn on, I think you can fail emissions as well.

 

[spuhala]

the bulb wont turn on throwing a code that the emissions place sees and fails me.

 

[Yaj Yak]

to answer the bulb thing- it's not that hard to do.

 

[spuhala]

That's good to hear. I have been goggling it and I have not found any clear answers.

 

[Yaj Yak]

id go get a junk cluster first to make sure... but the cluster comes out easy.

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

I just did this on the 5tp. ..
Shove pry bar into panel trim and rip it towards you.
Remove two Philips/7mm scores at the top
Pull top towards you then lift bottom from notch and tilt top away from you. Youll access the bulb with small pliers.
Yank bulb from low fuel indicator and toss it in and turn on key to test

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

except in my case I stole the bulbs from my silver GTP since one of the back light bulbs was burned out I need is one anyways the bulbs are 168 and the illumination bulbs are 194

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

if you break off enough of the clips the dashboard won't squeak anymore because it won't be held together anymore
just a tip from a friendly 3800 mechanic

 

[RICH17]

You need to fix the code. I dont think they care to much about the light

 

[SleeperLS]

The cluster is pretty easy to get out.

Kind of off topic, but [MENTION=750]RICH17[/MENTION] ...is that a dog laying on james' face while he is working on jamie's car? no wonder the build is taking a while.

 

[RICH17]

That is Jamie's new dog was loving James on Saturday

 

[spuhala]

actually the code pops back in every time you start the car, so I cant just clear it and go for the test.

 

[RICH17]

You need to actually fix the car

 

[spuhala]

That is my project this weekend!

 

[spuhala]

It only took about 10 minutes to do, and after clearing the code it no longer throws a code.