Hi everyone finally joined the forum!
So I have a 91 lx and have to pass smog in California. I failed the first time and that was because I had slightly high emmisions in the tail pipe test. But passing that doesn't worry me as the second reason I failed: he said the check engine light wouldn't work. I thought it would be the bulb but the light comes on for a couple seconds when I turn my key (as it should). I'm curious if anyone knows how they test to see if the light works?
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You will have to ask how they check for a working CEL. It sounds like your light is working.

 

I once had a 90EX and had a failed emission for high NOX. Problem was fixed b y cleaning the EG injection ports to the intake manifold.

Sometimes a comms problem can be remedied by a reset; pull BackUp fuse for 20 secs to reset ECU/TCU.

good luck