general BOX engine light question

[85crownHPP]

do our engine lights come on in response to a failure picked up by the computer, or is it just a dummy light for temperature and oil pressure???

I ask becuase I am questioning its importance to me

[Paul_]

cel comes on for a code being triggered. the light shaped like an engine comes on for oil or temp probs

[85crownHPP]

say heh??? we actually have a "check engine" light??

I have 5 or so codes in mine, and I never seen this light!!!

but yeah I was talking about the engine icon light.

[Paul_]

oops, the newer vics do 90+

sorry :coocoo:

[85crownHPP]

all these things are running through my head about what parts of a vic speedo need to be there and what parts dont, images of switching pins around its wire harness to relocate the dummy lights I want to keep - by the end of this Im either going to have a cool ass instrument cluster, have gone major :coocoo: , or have one big friggin' mess!!!

[marquisman]

ha, the 85 colony park has a ehgine light, and its carbed

[boXman]

Yea, the "engine" light comes on if its overheating or losing oil pressure.

[85crownHPP]

yes but is that the ONLY reason it comes on?????

[boXman]

Yes.

[Paul_]

well, some clusters have a visible check oil light. wtf is that for if the engine light indicates a problem with the temp or oil pressure

[89GrandMarquis]

general CEL question

The Shop Manual says:

The CEL is for the computer only.

The ENGINE lamp, well it depends on the car. All Vics have a combined oil pressure switch and coolant temperature switch "feeding" the light. On some GMs, the ENGINE lamp is oil pressure only. On some GMs (those with an OIL lamp), the oil pressure switch feeds that light.

The CHECK LEVEL lamp (its called a LOW OIL LEVEL in the TCs) is connected to a circuit the monitors the oil level in the sump.

The Shop Manual isn't always right, but it is mostly on target . . . .

[boXman]

Yea, in the Grand Marquis' case, since they have an oil light, the engine light would indicate overheating.

[89GrandMarquis]

Just added my car's picture . . . so, now you have a "face" to this noob.

[Paul_]

nice lookin car

[85crownHPP]

yeah, the "oil" light works off a level sender in the pan - its supposed to tell you if its low, not pressure

I noticed this becuase the wiring harness i pulled to replace mine had an extra wire to the oil pan... and the car had the oil light.