disabled check engine light?

[bangibimmer]

Hi

just curious. Can the check engine light on the dashboard be disabled/disconnected? Does the light comes on for a while when key is inserted and engine started? If this light can be disabled than the mechanics can have easy time convincing owners that the engine is ok. Mine does not light up when engine is started. 2000 523i e39

Thanks in advance

halim

[Shayne]

AFAIK only North American cars require the CEL. In fact OBD and OBDII are also only North American requirements.
Check your owner's manual.

[rps1072]

You could probably just take out the light bulb behind the Check Engine light. It would probably still chime at you but the light would not light up.

[DaCan23]

There was a case a few years ago of someone who bought a car then realized it had some problems and the person that sold it to them took out the CEL bulb to fool prospective buyers....

Turning the key to position 2 w/o starting it should illuminate the bulb

[Shayne]

He's in Malaysia so he doesn't have a functioning CEL.

[bangibimmer]

The car was imported from the UK (used)