check engine light

[rfb92345]

I have an 84 svo. If I was looking for a check engine light, where would it be (if there is one) on the instrument cluster. All I found was gauges and AC vents. Also, I'm changing to the LA3 computer and was wondering if the sensor under the intake is the ACT sensor. If not, do I need one. Thanks, Chuck

[SVOeric]

Hi Chuck -- sounds like you need to start with some searches--

the engine light is on the left side of the instrument cluster.,

also NO SVO's came with ACT sensors in the intake.

Some people have tried to convince me that later 86's did, but until I see one, I have a hard time believing it.

The VAM does have a ACT inside it, which can work fine for the LA3 swap, without adding one to the intake.

[rfb92345]

The four lights on the left side of the instrument cluster read like this from top to bottom. 1-fasten seat belt 2-brake 3-amps 4-over boost EGO. Ther is no "check engine" light. Please, what am I missing here?

[venomizd93]

You're not missing anything...it's #4 The Overboost/EGO light as far as I know....that's the check engine light.....to confirm that you can do a self check by using the old paperclip trick to read the codes(if any) out of the computer. Done it on my SHO, a bit hard to get used to but if done with attention it does the same thing as a computer that reads codes.

[AT6svo]

Originally posted by SVOeric

The VAM does have a ACT inside it, which can work fine for the LA3 swap, without adding one to the intake.

On a highly anal note regarding the previous quote, the ACT, as mounted in 87/88 TC's, is located AFTER the turbo and as such take into consideration the heating efffect of the turbo and cooling effects of the IC. Placing it prior to the turbo neglects these important variances and feeds the ECM incorrect data.

While it may functionally work, its not the optimal solution. Heck, I've even heard of people running the LA3 w/o the ACT even hooked up!! Again, it'll work, but completely sub-optimal. Ideally you need to drill & tap somewhere AFTER the IC (TB or the upper/lower intake manifold). I have this tid bit saved for what the drill & tap size you will need to perform this operation:
3/8 NPT thread tap, I believe I used a 9/16" drill bit
Of course, ou will also need to run the corresponding wire to/from the sensor to the LA3.

The sensor under the intake is most probably the KS, or Knock Sensor.

That should do it.

hth

[rfb92345]

If the "EGO" light is the same as the c"heck engine light," what does "EGO" mean? Is anybody sure of this?

[AT6svo]

E - G - O

EGO is the Exaust Gas Oxygen sensor, or commonly known as the O2 sensor.

-mike

[turbizzy]

EGO is the Exaust Gas Oxygen sensor, or commonly known as the O2 sensor.

This is true but... Im not really sure thats what Ford meant by this light. Why would there be an O2sensor light? I tried an experiment, i unplugged my O2 sensor with the car running and the overboost EGO light didn't come on. Thats why i think its not an O2 sensor light.

the engine light is on the left side of the instrument cluster.

I dunno eric, i ... don't mean to be rude but i looked over and over at wiring schematics and i don't think ANY SVOs have a check engine light. However the Turbocoupe does, in fact you can add a check engine light if you have a T/C ECU but i don't know if it'll be on all the time because of the all the missing ABS stuff and that missing second ACT sensor that no one seems to install with the LA3 conversion.