Volvo Repair: 97 850 T-5 check engine light not lighting, screw out, gauge cluster

Question
Hi James,
I have a 1997 850 T-5 Volvo and just recently I failed inspection because my check engine light does not light up when I turn on the car.  From what I understand the light is a dummy light so it should light up for just a second when I turn on the car.  However, the when I start the car all the other dash lights light up but the only one that does not is the check engine light.  I've check some of the fuses to see if that was the problem but I did not have any luck.  I would be very appreciative if you could help me thanks a lot.

Grant

Answer
Could be one of several possiblities:

1) There is a wiring failure somewhere, either power up to the light, or from the light to ground connection.  It should only get power when the computer turns it on, but should have ground all the time.

2) The bulb is burned out

If its the bulb, I would suggest replacing every one of the bulbs in the gauge cluster.  Its an extra $10 or so for the extra bulbs and it saves you alot of work of doing it again when you blow another one a few weeks later.  Its a real easy thing to check (easier than trouble shooting an electrical fault).  Just pop of the trim around the cluter (clipped in, pulls forward and off) and then there are a few screws holding it in (may be torx drive so make sure you have the eight tools).  once you have it out all the bulbs screw out the back.  Should take only 3-5 minutes to remove the cluster and bulbs with the proper tools.  Hope that helps.

James