**Check Engine Light is out**

[wynndi]

My 1996's check engine light is out. I am not sure when this happened and suspect it may have occurred when I had the car serviced last week (AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEM)

The C/E light is a SVX owners best friend and worse nightmare all at once, so I need to figure out how to either replace the bulb or find the wire to the bulb.

Could somebody tell me the best way to troubleshoot this? I have no schematics or repair manual......yet!


SEE BELOW:

***ADDED DIGITAL IMAGE OF LEFT HAND KICK PANEL REMOVED, SOME WIRES ARE NOT HOOKED UP***

Could somebody send an image of their left-hand kick panel removed?

[mhl0125]

Dave,
I just replaced all of my bulbs in the dash. Some you can get at the dealer by special order, but the easiest way is to rewire the bulbs with bulbs from radio shack. Part #272-1092. Two to a pack for $1.49. I bought out most of the local radio shacks supply or they were already out. I have two packs handy. There is a "how to" on the how to section of this site. You have to take the dash apart at the instrument cluster. Now that I have done it several times, it gets easier. If you need help, let me know. I might be able to stop over and show you. Do a search for threads on bulb replacement and you see what I mean.

[wynndi]

I'm a little dense today.....where's the "how to" section?

[Earthworm]

I guess that's not a good sign when the CEL has been on long enough to burn out!

[wynndi]

Actually I am a little suspicious of the people who worked on the car for a few reasons......does anyone know which wire to check before I start disassembling my dash.

Is there a place in this forum that details changing these bulbs?

[mhl0125]

Dave,
Go to this link for opening the dash and changing bulbs. I can't help you with which wire t o check.

http://www.stars-gazer.com/~svx/

[wynndi]

Wow! Thanks.

***ADDED DIGITAL IMAGE OF LEFT HAND KICK PANEL REMOVED, SOME WIRES ARE NOT HOOKED UP***

Could somebody send an image of their left-hand kick panel removed?

I think that somebody disabled the CE light, but I don't want to start putting wires together without some guidance.

[mhl0125]

This might tell you something as to where they go. It appears there are black slots in the top row they fit into. Read the entire thread.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...k+panel+wiring

[Earthworm]

Originally posted by wynndi
Wow! Thanks.

***ADDED DIGITAL IMAGE OF LEFT HAND KICK PANEL REMOVED, SOME WIRES ARE NOT HOOKED UP***

Could somebody send an image of their left-hand kick panel removed?

I think that somebody disabled the CE light, but I don't want to start putting wires together without some guidance.

Those 2 blue wires are used to check for codes. Under normal operation they are not connected to anything. If they have never been used to check codes they will be taped up and almost out of view. As for the black connector it's probably burried further down and would need to be pulled out.

Your CEL should come on when you turn on the ignition but don't start the car just to show it's working.

[wynndi]

Are you saying to hook up the black connector? Should that make the C/E light?

Odd thing is that the male connector (see image, it's wrapped in foam) has only 1 wire (black) while the female connector has several wires.

I checked out the earlier responses, and a lot doesn't apply to the 1996 model. Must be the OBD setup. I have an OBD scanner (it arrived today) and am anxious to check out what the OBD has to tell me!

[Earthworm]

Yeah, 96/97 SVX's are OBDII. On the upside OBDII is more universal between manufacturers. I'm not sure if the same technique applies.

[wynndi]

I think I'd better start trolling for schematics, then!


.....thanks for all your interest and help!