check engine light & bulb light, what?

nosuprayou · 12-19-2009, 12:03 PM

alright, call me stupid but lately when i turn the key to the 'accessory' position my check engine light turns on and the light for my bulbs go on. when i start it both lights turn off. im pretty confused right now. if there was a reason to check my engine wouldnt the check engine light stay on? also, i checked all my bulbs and they all work. anyone know weather im just trippin over nothin or if somethings up?

cre · 12-19-2009, 08:10 PM

The check engine light should always be on if the ignition is in the "ON" position but the car is not running. It's a diagnostic... so you know the CEL is functional. Non of the dash lights should be on with the key in the "Acc" position.

Now, even though you do not have the light when the car is running it doesn't mean there are no fault or diagnostic error codes stored in the ECU. Only the most critical of errors will cause the light to remain lit.

Here's how to check diagnostic codes:
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/TechTi...ror_codes.aspx

nosuprayou · 12-19-2009, 09:15 PM

my bad. i meant that the light turns on in the 'on' position. thanks for the link. ill find me a paper clip and try it out after work tonight. thanks man. ive been a little worried and confused about it for the past few days. i had my car sitting for a few days to change out the radiator and afterwars coulnt remember if that always happened.

12-19-2009, 12:03 PM	#1
nosuprayou Stock Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 7	check engine light & bulb light, what? alright, call me stupid but lately when i turn the key to the 'accessory' position my check engine light turns on and the light for my bulbs go on. when i start it both lights turn off. im pretty confused right now. if there was a reason to check my engine wouldnt the check engine light stay on? also, i checked all my bulbs and they all work. anyone know weather im just trippin over nothin or if somethings up?

12-19-2009, 08:10 PM	#2
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	The check engine light should always be on if the ignition is in the "ON" position but the car is not running. It's a diagnostic... so you know the CEL is functional. Non of the dash lights should be on with the key in the "Acc" position. Now, even though you do not have the light when the car is running it doesn't mean there are no fault or diagnostic error codes stored in the ECU. Only the most critical of errors will cause the light to remain lit. Here's how to check diagnostic codes: http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/TechTi...ror_codes.aspx __________________ If something breaks or you need to contact a member of the administration please post HERE. Unless it's a private or administration matter please post it on the forum. It benefits no one else if car related questions aren't posted for future users and takes away from the time I'm able to spend helping on the rest of the forum. If you're so inclined I'm always more than happy to accept tips via PayPal. Tip Jar --->

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12-19-2009, 09:15 PM	#3
nosuprayou Stock Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 7	my bad. i meant that the light turns on in the 'on' position. thanks for the link. ill find me a paper clip and try it out after work tonight. thanks man. ive been a little worried and confused about it for the past few days. i had my car sitting for a few days to change out the radiator and afterwars coulnt remember if that always happened.