.2002 Nissan pathfinder check engine light bulb is not lighting whenever I turn ignition on before starting

You first have to find out why they are not working? Check bilbs first and then bulb sockets for rust/corrosion, install bulbs with socket end coated with dielectric grease. If the bulbs are okay check for current at the socket contacts. Check for a good ground also. ALSO check the lighting fuse. If not any of these you need to start tracing wiring an switching to laocfate the problem.

There could be a tone of issues regarding your problem. First use a test light with ignition on and check all fuses with a test light under dash and the IPDM in the engine compartment.

check your tail light fuse, or blown bulbs. Just do a small test before you strip. Put someone in car turn ignition on and just apply brakes, if the brake lights come on means you have tail lights bulbs blown . If you have no lights at all go again for bulbs or fuse.

You need to pull the code and find out what code is in the computer and then check back here.

must remove dash to get to it.

Does it not light when the ignition is on before starting?

Sometimes it won't light when the ignition is on and the engine is off before starting, if the PCM (power control module) is bad.

2005 Nissan-Datsun Truck Pathfinder 2WD V6-4.0L (VQ40)
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF FRONT TURN SIGNAL/PARKING LAMP

Removal

NOTE: Reach through engine room for bulb replacement access.

1. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise to unlock it.
2. Pull the bulb to remove it from the socket.

Installation
Installation is in the reverse order of removal.

CAUTION: After installing the bulb, be sure to install the bulb socket securely for watertightness.

Sounds like you need a bulb,the daytime running lights send power to the high beam wire so they look like low beam lights are on but really they are high beam lights running on low voltage.

ARE YOUR BULBS FOR THESE GAUGES BURNT OUT?

check you spark plug and distrubitor

Had the same problem, but with the odometer. Turns out that he base of the bulb is loose. Very easy fix.

remove the cluster housing (2 screws)
remove the cluster (4 screws)

tighten the bases of the light bulbs on the back of the instrument cluster.

when i fixed the light, out of curiosity, i checked all the lights on the cluster. Indeed, quite a few of them were kinda loose. I tightened them all. Chances are you are seeing the same problem. So before spending big $$$ at the mechanics. Try this easy fix yourself. Took me 10 minutes. You only need a phillips screwdriver.


g'luck
dean