1. Make sure your car engine is turned off.
2. Locate the OBD-II port under your dashboard, usually near the steering wheel.
3. Connect the scanner to the OBD-II port.
4. Turn your car’s engine on, but don’t start it.
5. Wait for the scanner to read your vehicle’s computer.
6. Once the scanner has finished reading the computer, it will display the trouble codes that have been stored.
7. Select the option to clear the trouble codes.
8. The scanner will erase the codes from the computer, and the check engine light should turn off.
Reset the Check Engine Light by Disconnecting the Battery
1. Make sure your car engine is turned off.
2. Open your car hood and disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
3. Wait for 10 minutes.
4. Reconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
5. Start your car. The check engine light should be off.
Important: Disconnecting the battery will erase all of the data stored in your car’s computer, including your radio presets and clock settings. If you are not comfortable with doing this, you should take your car to a mechanic to have the check engine light reset.
Note: Resetting the check engine light will only turn off the light. It will not fix the underlying problem that caused the light to come on in the first place. If you have reset the check engine light and it comes back on, it is important to take your car to a mechanic to have it diagnosed.
Here are some additional tips for resetting the check engine light:
- If you have a hybrid car, you may need to follow different instructions to reset the check engine light. Consult your owner’s manual for more information.
- If you are unable to reset the check engine light yourself, you can take your car to a mechanic or auto parts store. They will be able to reset the light for you using a diagnostic tool.
- If the check engine light comes back on after you have reset it, it is important to take your car to a mechanic to have it diagnosed. The light may be coming back on because there is a serious problem with your car that needs to be addressed.
