I have had this car for over two years and the check engine light has never come on. I do see it flash when I go to start th ecar so I know the bulb works. I replaced my cat and 02 sensor because I was having some issues with the car not wanting to build RPM (bogging down after 3,000rpm) I woudl think I should have got a sensor warning then. Any way to test the light to see if its working. Can I just disconnect the MAF or something that would definatly give me an error code?

 

Check to see if there are any codes stored. If there is, then yes, you probably have a problem with the light, but I don't see why it would work when you turn the car on and then not when it's running.

 

The O2 sensor has to be completely fried to cause an error code.

 

The SES light can come on for a variety of reasons, otherwise we would just call it the O2 sensor light.

I haven't tried this, but I've been told that pulling the Throttle Position Sensor on the (look at the engine from the front of the car) left side of the throttle body will cause the SES light to come on

on my car, its the brown connector in the following picture :
http://www.magic-gate.com/pictures/1991z28/DSCN0219.JPG

 

Easiest way to check it is to disconnect the EST wire as if you were going to set the timing. Start the car and within 10 seconds you should get the light.

 

Ok I know what the TPS is (and thank you for the picture) were is the EST wire at? Any seconds on pulling the TPS will that set it off because that clip is real easy to get to. Is it uncommon for to go so long on an older car without any SES lights ever coming on. Maybe I am just paranoid, I do keep the car up I have replaced all plugs and wires, cap rotor, O2 sensor, EGR, and other stuff I can't think of.

 

Well, if you don't know where the EST wire is then you probably need to set the timing anyway.
Back by the firewall on the passenger side there is a wire (brown) that comes out of the loom and has a single pin connector on it. Disconnect that wire, start the car, block the wheels and set the brakes, hook up the timing light and put the car in drive. Now check the timing just like any other car (should be on 6 deg BTDC) and the check eng light should be on at this time too.

 

Morley you are absolutely right I am over do for a timing check, I just have avoided it I guess because it runs so well I haven't thought it necesary. Technically I really should have done it before putting in my Hypertech chip. I was aware however that there was a wire I needed to disconnect to shut down the computers timing interference when setting base timing I just never bothered looking for it. Thanks for all the help.