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Old Sep 10, 2012 | 03:49 PM
  #1  
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Year: 1990
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Default Emissions Light

ok anyone out there know how to fix this little light on a 1990 jeep cherokee laredo? I've replaced the bulb and pulled the dash apart but still no luck. Can't pass my smog without it. Help a girl out please.
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Old Sep 10, 2012 | 10:43 PM
  #2  
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Year: 1990XJ/1989MJ
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Which light, there are several. One can be made to go out by pulling the relay looking device and there is another that will come on when a new O2 censor is needed. another is caused by the charcoal container to be refilled with new charcoal.
To which light are you referring?
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Old Sep 10, 2012 | 11:09 PM
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Originally Posted by BlueXJ
Which light, there are several. One can be made to go out by pulling the relay looking device and there is another that will come on when a new O2 censor is needed. another is caused by the charcoal container to be refilled with new charcoal.
To which light are you referring?
Title says emissions
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 01:27 AM
  #4  
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Year: 1987 Comanche,1990
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Could be O2 sensors or your cat if it is not passing smog.
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 08:36 AM
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That's tough since you're in CA. In AZ if you're not OBD2 (95 or newer) it doesn't matter if there's a light on or not because you just do a loaded and idle test with the sniffer up the tailpipe. If you pass you pass. Now on 95 and newer there is no sniffer involved it's just a scanner hook up that checks to see if you have any codes and the integrity of the check engine light, etc. Pulling a bulb or fuse will not do anything other than fail you because you will get a "No communication" response and it's fail time. You need to fix the problem.
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 09:25 AM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by marcall
That's tough since you're in CA. In AZ if you're not OBD2 (95 or newer) it doesn't matter if there's a light on or not because you just do a loaded and idle test with the sniffer up the tailpipe. If you pass you pass. Now on 95 and newer there is no sniffer involved it's just a scanner hook up that checks to see if you have any codes and the integrity of the check engine light, etc. Pulling a bulb or fuse will not do anything other than fail you because you will get a "No communication" response and it's fail time. You need to fix the problem.
X2... replace catalitic converter, and upstream/downstream O2 Sensors. (Amazon.com has all of that stuff cheap) (or Rockauto.com)

Should pass no problem then.
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 11:30 AM
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Cat has been changed but the emissions light on the dash still won't turn on. Going to buy an emissions light timer. How can you tell if the O2 sensors are bad?
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 12:26 PM
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I have never heard of an emissions light.
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 01:34 PM
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There's only one o2 sensor on a 90 XJ and what light are you referring to? There is no 'emissions' light.
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 02:17 PM
  #10  
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The emissions light is on the left hand side of the steering wheel; it is the same as a check engine light. The wonderful State of California will not pass my smog if the stupid thing doesn't light up. I've change the bulbs, the Cat, the emissions light timer, and the O2 sensor and it still isn't working. I am about to give up on it.
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 02:24 PM
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Originally Posted by tisha951
The emissions light is on the left hand side of the steering wheel; it is the same as a check engine light. The wonderful State of California will not pass my smog if the stupid thing doesn't light up. I've change the bulbs, the Cat, the emissions light timer, and the O2 sensor and it still isn't working. I am about to give up on it.
Is it the CEL or is it the Maint Req'd light?

If its the latter it only goes off from mechanical gearing based on mileage. Its nothing more than a dummy light.
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 02:41 PM
  #12  
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According to everything that i've read from Jeep is that the 1990 Jeep doesn't have a maint. req. light but an emissions light. And yes i've also read that at 82,500 miles it will automatically shut down the timer; for which we've replaced and it didn't work. What is a CEL? I've tried to locate the wiring harness for the light pad that houses the "lights" in question but haven't been able to locate where they go. I've also tried to locate a wiring diagram off the internet however they are too small to read and don't allow you to enlarge them.
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 09:41 PM
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Originally Posted by tisha951
According to everything that i've read from Jeep is that the 1990 Jeep doesn't have a maint. req. light but an emissions light. And yes i've also read that at 82,500 miles it will automatically shut down the timer; for which we've replaced and it didn't work. What is a CEL? I've tried to locate the wiring harness for the light pad that houses the "lights" in question but haven't been able to locate where they go. I've also tried to locate a wiring diagram off the internet however they are too small to read and don't allow you to enlarge them.
Its still going to fail if you take the bulb out. the check engine light has to be on with the key on and engine off and has to be off with the engine running
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Old Sep 11, 2012 | 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by marcall
That's tough since you're in CA. In AZ if you're not OBD2 (95 or newer) it doesn't matter if there's a light on or not because you just do a loaded and idle test with the sniffer up the tailpipe. If you pass you pass. Now on 95 and newer there is no sniffer involved it's just a scanner hook up that checks to see if you have any codes and the integrity of the check engine light, etc. Pulling a bulb or fuse will not do anything other than fail you because you will get a "No communication" response and it's fail time. You need to fix the problem.
Obd2 are in 96 and newer cars except for two. And they arent jeeps
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Old Sep 12, 2012 | 01:27 AM
  #15  
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Sounds like your e-test monkeys are total morons. a 90 would be a RENIX and if I am thinking correctly, RENIX do not even have a check engine light.
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