The moment you observe a warning light on your dashboard, this can be a sign of an issue with the engine or the emissions control system. The check engine light is the major indicator of a current or pending issue in the powertrain. Never take this light to be a joke, as it might mean more problems for your car if the issue is not handled quickly. The light can be reset after solving the engine issue. Usually, there are two ways to reset the check engine light. This is by using a scan tool or disconnecting your vehicle’s battery.
How to reset the engine light using an OBD code reader
Engine light is a warning system that indicates that your vehicle is going through some internal electrical problems. It means there is a wiring issue you need to fix; otherwise, it will cause significant damage to your vehicle. There are many electronic devices such as an OBD 1 or OBD 2 scanner used to identify what is responsible for illuminating the warning light. Using an On-Board Diagnosis System (OBD system) is also easy. A continuous signal light shows your vehicle needs a cheap fix. on the other hand, shining check light indicates a major engine problem that needs to be fixed immediately. So if the engine light is illuminating continuously, you should follow these simple steps to reset the engine light using a code reader.
- First, you need to know what type of OBD will suit your vehicle. Start by connecting the OBD code reader to the onboard diagnostic connector below your steering wheel. Turn your ignition switch on and turn off all accessories.
- Press the read button o your scanner to check the engine’s error codes. Note down all the code (s) as they were recorded to use for later repair or future reference.
- Press the erase button on your scan tool to get rid of the error code. Getting rid of any codes present will turn off the check engine light.
- Remove diagnostic scanner and test drive the vehicle. If the check engine light still returns, then your car has another problem that needs to be solved.
- Thus, it’s advisable to repair the error codes present to you before resetting the check engine light.
- When the check engine light returns after days or weeks, this issue might be serious, and a professional mechanic should conduct a replacement of the part or proper repair.
Related article: Easy steps to install advanced OBD 2 Scanner
How to reset the engine light by disconnecting the vehicle’s battery
It is an old technique you can use if you don’t have an OBD scanner in your garage. This is a conventional way of resetting engine lights that work in most car models. I have given some easy steps that would lead you to reset the light by yourself. You just need a wrench.
- Disconnect your vehicle’s battery by getting rid of the positive and negative cables. Apply a wrench to remove the cables if possible.
- Press and hold the horn for 30 seconds to drain any remaining electricity from the capacitor.
- Wait for 15 minutes, and then reconnect your battery. The codes should be erased, which will lead your engine light to turn off. This procedure doesn’t function on all car computers. In case the battery is disconnected and the light comes back, this may turn out to be a sign of a very serious issue that needs to be fixed right away to maintain the battery’s lifespan.
It is evident that using a code reader rather than disconnecting the battery is the more effective method to use for resetting the check engine light and maintain your car properly.
Conclusion
The check engine light can mean several problems with your vehicle’s system, and the issue should be tackled immediately before resetting the engine light. Failure to handle the issue might mean more problems that may lead the car to be in a terrible state and perform poorly. You can use either a diagnostic scanner or disconnect the battery to reset the check engine light. Hopefully, you’ve found this article to be of great importance when it comes to how to reset the check engine light.