check engine light does not work.
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check engine light does not work.
88 ford ranger 2.3l
Went to have my truck smoged today and it passed except for the check engine light not working.
Pulling the instrument panel apart put in new bulb. still not working.
The check engine light has never worked since i bought the truck 3 years ago and because it was a gross polluter it got smoged about 4 times before i got it to pass and the state smog people have now added to the test that the light must work.
Checked the wiring diagram in my haynes manual and can not find the bulb or where it connects to.
My code reader port does work so i do have a signal to the self test connector and can read the TC with my code reader.
Need a point i can test the check engine light circuit back on the ECA so that i can start looking for a bad wire or to run a jumper to the light on the panel.
That is if the 88 2.3l ever had a check engine light. I have been told by one person that it did not.
Went to have my truck smoged today and it passed except for the check engine light not working.
Pulling the instrument panel apart put in new bulb. still not working.
The check engine light has never worked since i bought the truck 3 years ago and because it was a gross polluter it got smoged about 4 times before i got it to pass and the state smog people have now added to the test that the light must work.
Checked the wiring diagram in my haynes manual and can not find the bulb or where it connects to.
My code reader port does work so i do have a signal to the self test connector and can read the TC with my code reader.
Need a point i can test the check engine light circuit back on the ECA so that i can start looking for a bad wire or to run a jumper to the light on the panel.
That is if the 88 2.3l ever had a check engine light. I have been told by one person that it did not.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
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From: SoCal
My 87 doesn't have a CEL, but i'm 99% certain that the 88 Ranger was the 1st year that did have one.
The diagrams in a Haynes manual are slightly better than nothing. Best bet is to spend the 15 bucks at helminc.com for the 88 Ranger electrical & vacuum troubleshooting manual.
It's about 150 pages and is worth its weight in gold for making electrical repairs.
The diagrams in a Haynes manual are slightly better than nothing. Best bet is to spend the 15 bucks at helminc.com for the 88 Ranger electrical & vacuum troubleshooting manual.
It's about 150 pages and is worth its weight in gold for making electrical repairs.
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You are right the 88 2.3l does not have a check engine light.
I stopped a gold shield smog station and they confirmed it.
Once they did i had them run a smog check and the truck passed.
Now i am going to go to th first smog place and ask for my money back because the calif computer system tells the system that it does not need the check engine light so they made a mistake in running the smog test.
I stopped a gold shield smog station and they confirmed it.
Once they did i had them run a smog check and the truck passed.
Now i am going to go to th first smog place and ask for my money back because the calif computer system tells the system that it does not need the check engine light so they made a mistake in running the smog test.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: suburban atlanta
A dollar says you'll not get your test fee refunded. I don't think they'll give it up. There will be some law that CARB won't let them give any refunds and they must report any and all tests they make and there are no exceptions and they'd lose their license if they gave any money back and they need to make a boat payment and the cost of lighting the shop has risen and they have to pay for uniforms and a broom. Don't forget the tp in the restroom.
I bet you won't get a refund. Too much red tape in administering tests and room for people to test their buddies car and ... Good luck.
My 85 has a spot on the instrument cluster for a CEL, has the lens with the letters, but no bulb, no socket{I think}, and no traces on the cluster flexible circuit panel. It also has a 'up shift' light that doesn't work, never did, and lacks the switch on the transmission, though it is mentioned in the owners manual...
tom
I bet you won't get a refund. Too much red tape in administering tests and room for people to test their buddies car and ... Good luck.
My 85 has a spot on the instrument cluster for a CEL, has the lens with the letters, but no bulb, no socket{I think}, and no traces on the cluster flexible circuit panel. It also has a 'up shift' light that doesn't work, never did, and lacks the switch on the transmission, though it is mentioned in the owners manual...
tom
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
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From: SoCal
I'm pretty sure the 1st test station is correct & your 88 is supposed to have a working CEL.
It might cause you a lot more trouble than it's worth to argue with test station one. I'd let sleeping dogs lie.
If you spend the 15 bucks for the manual I mentioned the engine controls section will tell you for sure if it has a CEL and how it's wired.
It might cause you a lot more trouble than it's worth to argue with test station one. I'd let sleeping dogs lie.
If you spend the 15 bucks for the manual I mentioned the engine controls section will tell you for sure if it has a CEL and how it's wired.
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jdschall
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
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May 12, 2004 08:59 PM
