# 90 Maxima check engine light

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/90-maxima-check-engine-light/25157>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** start\
**Created:** [January 19, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/90-maxima-check-engine-light/25157 "2009-01-19T04:00:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jacoutside99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@jacoutside99](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jacoutside99)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 4:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/90-maxima-check-engine-light/25157/1 "2009-01-19T04:00:55Z")

</div>

My 90 Maxima does not start. The check engine light does not come on when key is in the on position

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 4:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/90-maxima-check-engine-light/25157/2 "2009-01-19T04:39:51Z")

</div>

Please explain exactly what “does not start” means.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 11:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/90-maxima-check-engine-light/25157/3 "2009-01-19T11:18:27Z")

</div>

Check the fuses for the ECM and EFI. IF the CEL does not light for a few seconds, indicating self-check mode, Then there is a problem with the ECM. Worst case is a bad ECM. But, I’d check fuses and wire harness before replacing the ECM.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 4:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/90-maxima-check-engine-light/25157/4 "2009-01-19T16:36:56Z")

</div>

This could be a bad ignition switch. Looky here: [http://www.autozone.com/R,3819184/vehicleId,1007801/initialAction,partProductDetail/store,1140/partType,00189/shopping/partProductDetail.htm](http://www.autozone.com/R,3819184/vehicleId,1007801/initialAction,partProductDetail/store,1140/partType,00189/shopping/partProductDetail.htm)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jacoutside99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@jacoutside99](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jacoutside99)\
**Post date:** [January 19, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/90-maxima-check-engine-light/25157/5 "2009-01-19T16:56:29Z")

</div>

Engine cranks, but does not fire.
