I have a 1985 xt non-turbo that is not passing smog in CA. The mechanic said the only problem is that the "check engine light" does not turn on when the ignition is on. The "ECS" light does turn on, though. Is the "ECS" the same as a "CEL" on other cars?

Yes.

I have a 1985 xt non-turbo that is not passing smog in CA. The mechanic said the only problem is that the "check engine light" does not turn on when the ignition is on. The "ECS" light does turn on, though. Is the "ECS" the same as a "CEL" on other cars?

Yeah, im guessing you have a feedback carb setup. The ECS is the CEL of the carbed models.

Thanks for the help. The engine is actually EFI if that makes a difference.

odd that the MIL (OBD-II technical name for the "check engine" light, whatever shape or abbreviation it is) is required to function for a bulb check for a non-OBDII car. I'm just guessing that CA requires that, as UT does not. That test is required for all 1996-and-up (OBD-II) cars, but if it's 1995 and older, nothing matters except the presence of the proper emissions equipment and a clean tailpipe reading. UT's pretty leniant, but I really feel like it's much more fair... c'mon CA, give a 22-year-old car a break! if it passes the tailpipe test, what's the big deal? ok, I'm done...

~Erik~

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=49918

 

Read this, everything is correct except the location of the connectors in the XT, they are in the trunk near the passenger's side fenderwell.

 

Find out what it tripping the cel, and get it fixed. Reset the ecu and take it back in.

http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=49918

 

Read this, everything is correct except the location of the connectors in the XT, they are in the trunk near the passenger's side fenderwell.

 

Find out what it tripping the cel, and get it fixed. Reset the ecu and take it back in.

He is saying that there IS no "Check Engine Light" and instead, he has an ECS light that comes on with the key (and I assume goes off when the vehicle is started.)

 

Your test worker guy was an idiot. Thats the short version. I THINK at least; don't wanna set that in stone.

He is saying that there IS no "Check Engine Light" and instead, he has an ECS light that comes on with the key (and I assume goes off when the vehicle is started.)

 

Your test worker guy was an idiot. Thats the short version. I THINK at least; don't wanna set that in stone.

 

Daeron is correct, your test worker guy is an idiot. I'll set that in stone for him, heh.

 

ECS does not mean the car is Carbed, that's the equivalent of a CEL on '85-'86 models.... my old and also my current '86 had/has an ECS light, while my old '88 DL had a Check Engine light. I've seen an '85 with fuel injection as well in my travels; it also had an ECS light. Carbed, no clue, never seen one. '87 is also beyond me; never seen one.

 

When I attempted to smog my car in Cali, the test guy specified that I didnt even HAVE a check engine light whatsoever, and failed me because he did not check my timing correctly :-\

The ECS is the predacessor to the CEL. It simply stands for Engine Control System, as in there is something wrong with. Procedure should be the same as listed in the link I posted to the USRM, again execpt the XT ecu is in the trunk.

 

All of the XT's we recieved were mpfi.