Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

adding in a CEL

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 4, 2007 | 10:28 AM
  #1  
dagray3's Avatar
dagray3
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
adding in a CEL

I have an 88 F250 351W EFI. I don't have a check engine light. I thought maybe the bulb was out, but when I broke the dash down to put in a new bulb, there was just an empty spot where the bulb should be (no connectors or wires).

Is there a way to run a CEL into the dash? Can I just tap off of somewhere and throw in a little 12V bulb?
 
Reply
Old May 4, 2007 | 11:41 AM
  #2  
andym's Avatar
andym
Post Fiend
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
Likes: 38
From: Bonita Springs FL
You should have one. Sounds like someone removed it or tucked it out of the way - probably because it was on and a PO was too lazy to pull the codes/fix the problem.
 
Reply
Old May 4, 2007 | 02:17 PM
  #3  
dagray3's Avatar
dagray3
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
anyone know what color wire I should look for under the dash? I didn't see anything under there, but I will check again.

Thanks
 
Reply
Old May 4, 2007 | 03:21 PM
  #4  
subford's Avatar
subford
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 23,666
Likes: 301
From: Easton,Ks
Originally Posted by dagray3
anyone know what color wire I should look for under the dash? I didn't see anything under there, but I will check again.

Thanks
PK/LG wire.
Here is a diagram.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g9...estcircuit.jpg
 
Reply
Old May 4, 2007 | 04:01 PM
  #5  
EPNCSU2006's Avatar
EPNCSU2006
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
My 87 was not wired for a check engine light either. You'll have to run a wire from the STO wire of the self test connector under the dash to the back of the gauge cluster. If you have an EMISS light, you can take out that pin and move a short length of that wire to the check engine light pin location and connect the wire from the STO to there. I had a couple of old wiring harnesses, so I found the pins to run the wire through the bulkhead connector, but that isn't necessary. Before you do all that, though, trace the printed circuit back to where the wiring connects to the dash cluster to see if there is a pin in the connector at that position. If there is, just buy a bulb and socket and stick it back in there.
 

Last edited by EPNCSU2006; May 4, 2007 at 04:03 PM.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:30 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE