Failed smog due to...no check engine light?

[EvoStevo]

So I just got back from my smog test. Everything was going fine until the guy asked me if my car was an M3. I replied "no, it's just a regular 325is," after which he made a face and walked away. He then calls me in to tell me I failed because my check engine light (which I thought was just the flashing "check" light in the center of the cluster this whole time) never comes on. Everything else was within spec, but he said he couldn't pass me because the light was broken. Apparently M3s don't have a check engine light which is why he asked.

So how can I fix this? The cluster is a Motometer unit out of an '88 325is, but the speedo/odo is the one that originally came in my '89 (made by VDO). Could the bulb just be burnt out?

[87e30]

Wait, so which light isn't working?

The check engine light? Which is down on the bottom of the cluster by the inspection lights.

Or the check panel light which is in between the speedo and the tach?

[romeomike]

So I just got back from my smog test. Everything was going fine until the guy asked me if my car was an M3. I replied "no, it's just a regular 325is," after which he made a face and walked away. He then calls me in to tell me I failed because my check engine light (which I thought was just the flashing "check" light in the center of the cluster this whole time) never comes on. Everything else was within spec, but he said he couldn't pass me because the light was broken. Apparently M3s don't have a check engine light which is why he asked.

So how can I fix this? The cluster is a Motometer unit out of an '88 325is, but the speedo/odo is the one that originally came in my '89 (made by VDO). Could the bulb just be burnt out?

Sometimes that's the case, as in my son's 90 325i. A 2721 lamp from autozone will fix it.

[EvoStevo]

Wait, so which light isn't working?

The check engine light? Which is down on the bottom of the cluster by the inspection lights.

Or the check panel light which is in between the speedo and the tach?

The one at the bottom of the cluster. I'm not even sure where exactly it is because I've never seen it come on.

[daniel]

The one at the bottom of the cluster. I'm not even sure where exactly it is because I've never seen it come on.

if you take out the cluster to replace the bulb there will be a little symbol telling you which one it is.

[reelizmpro]

It probably either popped out of the socket or the bulb is bad. You said you had some work done to the cluster. Perhaps someone forgot to put the check engine wire/bulb back in. It's not like other telltale bulbs. This one has it's own little socket which simply presses into the plastic slot. When you remove it, you remove the entire thing.