1992 Nissan Pickup - failed smog because mechanic cannot find "check engine light"

Airshows · Aug 22nd, 2004, 07:02 PM

Hello to all...I have a 1992 Nissan Pickup (4 cyl, 5 speed manual) and recently had it smogged (California). It passed with flying colors except for the fact that the mechanic said that he could not find the check engine light and therefore could not pass me. I looked all through the dash, and even had a mechanic friend of mine look for the check engine light but we could not find one anywhere. The truck is not a California truck--it was bought in Tennessee and brought here by the original owner about 10 years ago. Is this something that was specific to California trucks (as it implies in the owner's manual) or am I just not seeing it? Can someone out there please help me out on this?

Dwntyme · Aug 22nd, 2004, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airshows

Hello to all...I have a 1992 Nissan Pickup (4 cyl, 5 speed manual) and recently had it smogged (California). It passed with flying colors except for the fact that the mechanic said that he could not find the check engine light and therefore could not pass me. I looked all through the dash, and even had a mechanic friend of mine look for the check engine light but we could not find one anywhere. The truck is not a California truck--it was bought in Tennessee and brought here by the original owner about 10 years ago. Is this something that was specific to California trucks (as it implies in the owner's manual) or am I just not seeing it? Can someone out there please help me out on this?

It should come on with the ignition on and engine not running in the gauge cluster, If not the bulb is blown or missing...

jadcock · Aug 22nd, 2004, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airshows

Is this something that was specific to California trucks (as it implies in the owner's manual) or am I just not seeing it? Can someone out there please help me out on this?

The manual does incorrectly imply that, even at late as 1995 (mine). I tore into my dashboard and found that my check engine light, including the actual bulb holder, to be completely missing. I noticed, however, that at least one of the screws that needed to be removed to access the light was slightly rounded/stripped, so I knew someone had been in there before.

I bet your light is just burned out. Use the search function to look for instructions on dashboard disassembly. It's quite easy, and took me about 20 minutes using the instructions found here.

Good luck,

jbaldinger · Nov 11th, 2005, 08:19 PM

I just ran into the same problem. I've gotten my car smogged 4 times since moving to CA from the east coast, and have never had this issue. But today when I got it smogged, I was denied. The book the mechanic is using says that all pathfinders since 91 have had a MIL (or check engine light), but when I had him look into my dash for that indicator, or an area on the dash where that indicator might exist, he had no clue. He just told me he couldn't pass me even though my emissions were fine. $50 down the drain. Anyone have any bright ideas? I have had the car for 12 years, and am QUITE certain there has never been a check engine light.

nizmo559 · Nov 11th, 2005, 09:22 PM

If you got time on your hands pull the dash out and look for the bulb, it probably just burned out. Well for the first guy that posted maybe who ever you bought that vehicle from pulled it out to hide the fact that it was lit up.

tateb · Nov 12th, 2005, 07:55 PM

I have a 91 Hardbody and Ive looked also for a Check Engine Light. On my dash beside the e-brake and high beam lights its not there. Not too worried tho cause Nissans are reliable and dont need one.

ernie120252 · Nov 15th, 2005, 02:40 PM

I have an 88 hardbody and cant find mine either, is there one that far back? How can I find out?

Ernie

Nissanpickup · Nov 17th, 2005, 08:30 PM

well i have a 1991 nissan pickup and i dont have a check engine light i dont think the VG30E engines came with a check engine cuz my friends has the KA engine and he HAS a check engine light