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A lot of people want the check engine light to go off.

I am doing some research for school and I want it to come on. Does anyone know some simple problems or faults I can create with a vehicle in order to make the check engine light come on?

These would be faults that the car can run with (not necessarily drive with) without causing permanent damage, hopefully.

I am trying to develop software for a school project that can track Error codes going on and off over time.

I understand that any advice you give is for educational purposes and don't hold anyone here accountable if something goes catastrophically wrong.

DucatiKiller
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FooBot
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5 Answers5

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Start unplugging stuff. The engine will normally run with a lot of the sensors unplugged, but the check engine light will come on quickly.

Some easy to reach ones: Mass Air Flow (MAF), Oxygen sensors, sometimes the throttle position indicator (on the throttle body).

If you can unplug the power to the secondary air injection pump, it will cause a fun light that will only come on after driving it for a few times.

Unplugging a fuel injector should lead to a flashing check engine light.

Most (if not all) of what I mentioned should make the light go back off once corrected. You might have to complete a few drive cycles for some of them to "reset".

JPhi1618
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6

@JPhi1618 answer is good.

I would just add a few more,

  1. You can unplug the EGR Valve electrical connector, no harm to engine.
  2. Pull out a coil pack or coil wire.
kasey
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The CEL trigger implementation will vary across vehicles, but here are a few for you to try out. They should not have any negative effect in the long-term on the vehicle:

P010x - unplug MAF sensor

P030x - unplug a spark plug wire/coil (unplugging the corresponding injector is recommended)

P0420/P0430 - unplug the O2 sensor after the catalytic converter

Zaid
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5

To add to the list, run the engine without the fuel filler cap on.

MooseLucifer
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Hi like on opel astra when ur remove fuse numa 20 in fuse box engine light will come on radiator fan won't come on nd it will only run in low gear thts only on the automatic opel astras

muneeb
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