Is my check engine light working.

[CanadianRB280z]

So I've been serching the forum for a thread on how to test if the check engine light IS working.

Some back ground, I have a engine harness from wiring specialty for a S14 chassis from the previous owner, the R33 RB25DET S2 is going in to my 280Z but I can't seem to find a connection off the harness for the check engine light, the wire is there but I'm not sure where they (wiring specialty) terminated it.  I also installed a DZ-START that has a Nissan maximum push button start. So off/acc/start.

So going off the pin out for the stock ECU that I have, it shows pin 32 so I spliced into that wire with an LED and grounded it. (Note: wire color indicates Orange/black but wire is only orange)

Now the problem, maybe. When I start the car the check engine light comes on but for a split second, not as long as most cars do. (If you're not paying attention you will miss the light thats how fast it is)

So to the point, is there a way that I can test to see if the check engine light is working correctly. (Yes the light itself works) or is a LED not the right choice or do I need a capacitor to prolong the light?

Thanks

[MoMnDadGTR]

hmmmm, have a look in the r32 gts manual and see if you can find something in the wiring. I know for my r32 gtr rb26dett I have the bnr32 manual and everything for wiring from what ever is in there. might be able to get some info there...any pictures of the splicing would help too...I know to check engine codes on a gtr you just need a paper clip and theres a spot in the fuse area you just arc. but I know your not checking codes but this may be a way to check to see if its working as well, may be different for rb25 tho..

[GTSBoy]

Take the dash out, check the globe directly.

Then power the globe from the terminals on the loom plug on the dash.

That will tell you if it's all good up at the dash, or not. And there is little chance of it being broken anywhere else, unless some twatbasket has cut the wire at the ECU.

[CanadianRB280z]

This engine is in a Datsun 280Z so I dont have a dash loom, just the engine loom and no R33 fuse box. Yes I have a fuse box from EZ-WIRE and have spliced in the specially wire loom. I'm going to wire a capacitor on the LED to see if it stays on longer during cranking. 

[GTSBoy]

Then just break out a multimeter and see if you have connectivity between the ECU pin that runs the CEL and the CEL pin on the dash!