Originally Posted by geldingmakr
well i just realized last night... that my engine light does not come on when i first start the car to let me know it is working... so i very well could be throwing a cel...
is there a way to pull the cel codes with out having the dash light operating?
Nope. Not on a 92-95. Those cars are OBD-I and rely solely on that light.
Fortunately, changing the light bulb on that car is really easy. Pop the hazzard switch out carefully with a tiny screwdriver, pull the screw out that's behind the switch, pull the 2 screws out of the bezel that are above the gauge cluster, pry gently around the sides of the bezel and it will pop out. 4 screws hold the gauge cluster in, pull those. Disconnect the electrical connections carefully, and you've got it in your hands.
The bulbs are in tiny little plastic holsters on the back of the cluster, and they just screw out with a 1/4 turn. Match it up with a bulb at your local auto parts store and you're good.
The other part is checking the code. Others may have reference to on-line sources, and this topic has been discussed at length many times for OBD-I cars. There's a web page with the codes on it, but I didn't save it. I have a 92 service manual with them in it. But I'll summarize the process.
1. Find the green and red wired test connector on the far passenger side of the car under the dash. You don't need to pull your carpet up to get to it.
2. Cram a paper clip in both sides of the electrical connector so that it terminates that circuit.
3. Turn the key to the on position but don't start the car.
4. Watch the check engine light. It blinks long blinks for 10's followed by short blinks for 1's. It can blink multiple codes, so watch it repeat several times.
example: if it blinks quickly once, pauses, blinks a big blink and then four small blinks, it's telling you a code 1 AND 14. 1 would be a bad o2 sensor, and 14 means your AICV or its electrical circuit is bad. Big blinks are always first.
Sounds to me like you've got plenty to do for now. Ask when you have a question. And have fun. If it scares you, the average shop will bill you about $65/hr to figure it out for you. So have fun.