Check engine light reset
The check engine light reset procedure can go down 2 paths. You can use a code scanner to retrieve and clear the codes, which is the proper method. Or you could disconnect the battery and drain the memory holding capacitor in the computer to clear the check engine light. I will explain both for you, but I only recommend using a scan tool. Also a auto repair video explanation has been added at the bottom. If you disconnect the vehicle's battery this alone may not clear codes. Some manufacturers store voltage in a capacitor to hold the computer's memory. After the battery is disconnected you can hold down on the horn to drain the small amount of electrical energy. This will definitely achieve the check engine light reset you were looking for. But there may also be some side effects to this procedure.
If you reset the check engine light by disconnecting the battery you will also clear out these important memory functions, and the computer will have to relearn them. What this means for you is that when you restart the vehicle you may have erratic idle and poor driveability for several driving cycles after the check engine light resetting procedure was performed.
How to clear check engine lightsPlease let me tell you why it's not worth disconnecting the battery. An important reason for following the proper check engine light reset procedure is that you really do want to know what the stored code was. First of all, if you cleared the code by disconnecting the battery and there is a hard failure in the engine control diagnostic system then the light will just pop right back on. Why cause yourself troubles for no reason.
The best way to go is by using a code scanner to retrieve the code and then clear it. I was recommending the Actron 9125 but equus has recently lowered the price on the Equus 3030 scan tool. This is one of the most popular and inexpensive automotive scan tools on the net! You can find cheaper ones but this tool has some useful features that others do not. Now that you know what code was set in memory the next step is to clear it and then drive the vehicle and see if the light returns. If the check engine lamp comes back on and you retrieve the same code, then you know it’s something that needs to be repaired. You will also know in what system the failure is hiding. If you have a good car repair manual you can follow a diagnostic chart for the set code. Auto scan tools have really come down in price since OBD 2 came out in 1996. Standardizing the engine diagnostics systems also simplified the operation of the tools used to diagnose malfunctions and the tree charts used to troubleshoot and repair them.
Check engine light reset benefitsIf you have a scan tool and you pull a code for a small leak in the evap system, Chances are if you reset the check engine light this code will not return. In this instance, you have just saved yourself a trip to the dealership and maybe hundreds of dollars. On the flip side of this equation maybe you have set a code for an engine misfire. If this code is not addressed, not only will you have poor fuel economy, but you could also eventually do engine damage. Using the automotive diagnostic scanners is a fairly simple auto repair skill to master. All of the major code reader tools come with complete instructions to perform this task.
After writing down the number of the trouble codes stored, you can then hit the erase codes button. You're done and ready to drive the car. I wanted to tell you about the latest scanner to arrive. It is the Actron 9410 pocket scan on the right. It is a few dollars less then the Equus 3030 above because it has less features, but it does have an urgency indicator. This has proven to be a big help for do it yourself car mechanics. There is a full review of this code reader on the Amazon website.
 Custom Search Auto repair video explanation of how your shop diagnoses check engine lights. Note: They do not mention cost!
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