My check engine light won't cone on on my 1998 honda accord what's wrong?

My check engine light won't cone on on my 1998 honda accord what's wrong?

It's not coming on when the ignition key is in "On" or "ACC" position or there are problem in performance and the light is not on? Which one? The dash cluster indicator bulb may have burnt out. Have you done the bulb test?: The light should lit when the key is switch on and goes out after 5 seconds or so, if not the bulb has burnt out and need to be replace.

The check engine light will not lit some time, not for every time there are things wrong with the engine or transmission or other systems like steering, Evaporate emission systems etc. Mostly will lit if it's related to electrical/ electronic sensors or component has failed.

I've for more than the past 4 decades seen lot of times there are problems or failed components/ sensors and the check engine light is never lit despite the light is in good and functional.

In short, the light is just a symbol to remind you to have the vehicle check because there's something is out of good functional working order. The technician the will read the code to guide him into the first few steps of diagnostic and narrow down into a particular system, component or sensor that causing the problem.

The thing is: If light is on: Have the vehicle check out, the same thing with no light and there's problem(s). But if no light and there's no problem: You'll be happy. Hope I've answered your question and happy motoring! HTH.

Edit: Typo!

Did you try to turn it off and back on again?

Nothing. If everything is working right, you will not see it.

I've never seen a burnt out CEL bulb in 30 years. Either someone took it out or your computer is bad.

I assume you mean it does not come on for a couple seconds when you turn the switch on. The bulb may be burned out but I'm suspicious somebody disconnected or removed the bulb because it was on all the time. The codes will still read out, though.