Check engine light -- what if it DOESNT come on?

[masospaghetti]

Hey all -- I know this isn't the most common question...but what does it mean if the check engine light does NOT come on before the car is started? You know, normally, when the key is turned to "run" but not "start", the check light should be on. What does it mean if it doesn't come on, but the car seems to run ok?

BTW, this is on a '94 Chevy Beretta, OBDI. Thanks!

 

[JMan689]

Computer connections might be dirty or a little lose.

 

[masospaghetti]

Wouldn't that cause the car to run really bad as well?

 

[Burns]

Bad Bulb?

 

[JMan689]

Not necassarily, my Lightning ran fine but i never saw the CEL light up...or like Burns said a bad bulb.

 

[masospaghetti]

I'll definitely check the bulb...

I'm mostly worried that somehow the previous owner tampered with the CEL to turn it off (the vast majority of the car is ghetto-rigged, it seems) and somehow disabled it.

 

[budwich]

just pull a plug on sensor which should cause a light that way you don't have to take ip apart... but i agree... most likely a burnt / tampered bulb.