check engine light

In order to clear the check engine light you wll need a trouble code scanner/reader to clear the code. This will cause the check engine light to go out unless a problem still exist which will cause the light to come back on. If you don't have a scanner perhaps you can borrow one. If not you can purchase one . They range in price from 30 dollars and up. Just be sure it is for your type of cars system before buying. How much will the dealer charge you ??? Just something to think about .Good luck

I've always had success in getting my service engine light to reset by just disconnecting my negative battery cable for a minute. Unless there's reason for a code to set again and light it up, doing this with the battery has worked to turn it off after I have repaired correctly. I have yet to have to purchase a scanner/code reader. The newest I've used this fix on was an '03 though, and it may have since changed...? I'd be interested to know if that be the case...

LedFt

Removing the battery cable will cause the check engine light to go out but I don't recommend it. By disconnecting the battery cable you erase any stored codes and lose current engine parameters . Driveability will suffer until the cars PCM re-learns operating parameters. Also if this is done prior to getting a inspection done the car's computer will not be ready and the inspection can not be performed.

Ok,.. Thanks for the explanation. I knew about the 're-learn' period, but was under the impression that it doesn't take a lot of time for it to go through this process. About how long does it typically take? As far as the readiness for an inspection, I could see the logic there, if the 're-learn' actually takes a while to complete. What is still unclear however, is, if the situation involved taking a vehicle to the shop for repairs needed for the inspection... it just seems to be that the first instruction, for just about any of the repairs I have ever done, is the disconnection of the battery. Is the reset done prior to the repair? Even in doing that, is the battery disconnect just not typically followed in the repair shop setting? When the scanner is used to reset the system, does the 're-learn' only apply to the code setting issue... or does the system even go through the process at all?
Obviously, you don't have to answer my '20 questions' :oops: it just has me curious to understand...

LedFt