The Check Engine Light

[simonso]

I wondered why when I turn ignition key to position 2, the check engine light doesn't turn on. (and go off)Got it checked in Benzone, the head mechanic (Terrance) said theres something wrong and I've got to change the entire speedometer at 3-4K.Got rather ticked off because he charged me for the diagnostic check and nothing was solved.Consult my other mechs from Kg. Subang, (they repaired quite a few stuff for my car including a hidden sponge on my airbag warning light indicator) Now he said that my model (E46 2001 1.9)'s check engine doesn't light up. A friend of mine (Andrew Wong @ E46 2000) confirms it too! I find it weird that most vehicle does an engine check but mine doesn't, anybody has further info?Cheers.

 

[solo]

Could be a blown LED? Try doing an instrument cluster check.

This is how you do it.

To access a whole slew of data and the instrument cluster test on an e46:
1. with the ignition off, hold the left instrument button
2. turn the key to position 1 (radio)
3. If you let go of the button and press again you will cycle through the following 20 tests.
4. If you want to acess the submenus, release the button while a test menu number is being diplayed, within a second, you will see Test number.0. You can then click again to cylce through the submenus. To get back to the main menu, press and hold the left key until you see the test number without the ".0".
5. Note, you can only access tests 1 and 2 without unlocking-- to unlock the other tests, go to test 19 and wait for the display ot say "l-off", then click again. Now you can cycle through to the other tests.

Do test number 2 Cluster System Test. This activates the gauge drivers, indicators and LEDs to confirm function.

If you don't get the hang of it then watch [video=youtube;CDxoCulODfc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToIMATmD4Uw[/url] or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T69za3bE93g or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDxoCulODfc[/video] Salut

 

[azeL_Inc]

never knew about this..guess to give it a try..for fun...haha

 

[simonso]

Tested that out and it worked perfectly fine! Damn cool!

Anyway my engine light did lit up! So I guess the mechanic is right,
the car's check engine light doesn't show when the car is starting up.

 

[solo]

Tested that out and it worked perfectly fine! Damn cool!

Anyway my engine light did lit up! So I guess the mechanic is right,
the car's check engine light doesn't show when the car is starting up.

That doesn't sound right. My CEL lights up then turns off when the key is in Position 2. This is because the OBC is checking the engine for any faults since the last time the car was started. If everything is ok, it turns off by itself.

Hmm...could your OBC not be checking the engine?

Salut

 

[simonso]

Hi Solo,

Could that be possible? OBC not checking the engine? My buddy's E46 2000 model don't light up as well.