How do you reset the Check Engine Light??
08-18-2005, 09:04 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
How do you reset the Check Engine Light??
Hey Guys, I've heard stories about Check Engine Lights in this forum. Not that I've experience any Check Engine Lights, but I need to know how to reset it in case it happens so Im prepared. Thanks in advance.
Last edited by DJackman; 08-18-2005 at 09:07 PM.
08-18-2005, 09:34 PM
#2
Team Owner
Owner's manual, pages 3-42 - 3-43.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
• Reducing vehicle speed
• Avoiding hard accelerations
• Avoiding steep uphill grades
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the engine off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still
flashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You also may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See Filling Your Tank on page 5-7. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
3-42
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn
off, your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer
has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical problems that may
have developed.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
• Reducing vehicle speed
• Avoiding hard accelerations
• Avoiding steep uphill grades
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the engine off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still
flashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You also may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See Filling Your Tank on page 5-7. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
3-42
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn
off, your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer
has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical problems that may
have developed.
The following 2 users liked this post by Vette_DD:
dwhampto (08-04-2017),
mickey@cmwvacs.com (04-28-2017)
08-18-2005, 09:53 PM
#3
Safety Car
Two ways. Fix the problem that caused the light. The light will go out after several drive cycles without the problem present. The system will save the code in history and then erase it after many more drive cycles.
The other way is with a diagnostic scanner. Dealers use a Tech II.
If you have Onstar, they can often tell you what has caused the check engine light. The most commone one is leaving the gas cap loose. Tighten it , drive it for a couple days, it'll go out.
That's C6.
Now on a C5 you have the ease of reading and clearing codes using the dash DIC. LAN communications on the C6 put an end to that, great progress.
The other way is with a diagnostic scanner. Dealers use a Tech II.
If you have Onstar, they can often tell you what has caused the check engine light. The most commone one is leaving the gas cap loose. Tighten it , drive it for a couple days, it'll go out.
That's C6.
Now on a C5 you have the ease of reading and clearing codes using the dash DIC. LAN communications on the C6 put an end to that, great progress.
08-18-2005, 11:50 PM
#5
Former Vendor
Member Since: Apr 2001
Location: FL
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes
on
21 Posts
St. Jude Donor '13
Originally Posted by Michrider
Two ways. Fix the problem that caused the light. The light will go out after several drive cycles without the problem present. The system will save the code in history and then erase it after many more drive cycles.
The other way is with a diagnostic scanner. Dealers use a Tech II.
If you have Onstar, they can often tell you what has caused the check engine light. The most commone one is leaving the gas cap loose. Tighten it , drive it for a couple days, it'll go out.
That's C6.
Now on a C5 you have the ease of reading and clearing codes using the dash DIC. LAN communications on the C6 put an end to that, great progress.
The other way is with a diagnostic scanner. Dealers use a Tech II.
If you have Onstar, they can often tell you what has caused the check engine light. The most commone one is leaving the gas cap loose. Tighten it , drive it for a couple days, it'll go out.
That's C6.
Now on a C5 you have the ease of reading and clearing codes using the dash DIC. LAN communications on the C6 put an end to that, great progress.
04-28-2017, 02:01 PM
#6
Heel & Toe
Member Since: Apr 2015
Location: Ellicott City Maryland
Posts: 16
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reset Engine Light
Owner's manual, pages 3-42 - 3-43.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
• Reducing vehicle speed
• Avoiding hard accelerations
• Avoiding steep uphill grades
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the engine off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still
flashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You also may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See Filling Your Tank on page 5-7. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
3-42
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn
off, your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer
has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical problems that may
have developed.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
• Reducing vehicle speed
• Avoiding hard accelerations
• Avoiding steep uphill grades
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the engine off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still
flashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You also may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See Filling Your Tank on page 5-7. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
3-42
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn
off, your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer
has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical problems that may
have developed.
Yesterday the service engine light came on and it appears the treatment I'm doing with the tech-tron could be causing this.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
04-28-2017, 05:50 PM
#7
Burning Brakes
If it stays on steadily(not flashing), it's an emission problem. AutoZone or O'Reillys will Read the codes and give you a readout of the most likely causes- free of charge. To shut the light off, disconnect negative battery terminal for a minute or so; light will come on if problem still exists. After reconnecting battery terminal, remember to re-index the Windows.
04-29-2017, 08:56 AM
#8
Safety Car
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: Pearland / Houston Tx
Posts: 3,749
Likes: 0
Received 1,109 Likes
on
690 Posts
1) start a new thread instead of replying to a 12-year old one.
2) don't overuse Techron...not good. I think you are supposed to drive a few thousand miles between bottles.
3) It is easier to spend 12 bucks on a simple code reader instead of gong to a parts store. Don't just clear the code, see what it is and research it.
4) the fuel sender contact can get a sulphur buildup that can cause them to stop sending a signal. Techron some times cleans and fixes the problem. Some times not....the little contact arm on the sender also breaks.
5) many threads on "service fuel system" . Search and maybe you will find an answer. Good luck.
2) don't overuse Techron...not good. I think you are supposed to drive a few thousand miles between bottles.
3) It is easier to spend 12 bucks on a simple code reader instead of gong to a parts store. Don't just clear the code, see what it is and research it.
4) the fuel sender contact can get a sulphur buildup that can cause them to stop sending a signal. Techron some times cleans and fixes the problem. Some times not....the little contact arm on the sender also breaks.
5) many threads on "service fuel system" . Search and maybe you will find an answer. Good luck.
08-04-2017, 12:14 PM
#9
Thanx! Just bought this used 'Vette. Still under warranty from dealer. Gonna take it back, let them hook it up to diagnostics, then we'll see. Dealer says it'll be OK to drive it that far (110 miles, one way). I've tried the gas cap fix; to no avail. "Check engine" light remains "on", steady.
Owner's manual, pages 3-42 - 3-43.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
• Reducing vehicle speed
• Avoiding hard accelerations
• Avoiding steep uphill grades
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the engine off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still
flashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You also may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See Filling Your Tank on page 5-7. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
3-42
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn
off, your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer
has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical problems that may
have developed.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
• Reducing vehicle speed
• Avoiding hard accelerations
• Avoiding steep uphill grades
If the light stops flashing and remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the engine off, wait at least 10 seconds and
restart the engine. If the light remains on steady, see “If
the Light Is On Steady” following. If the light is still
flashing, follow the previous steps, and see your dealer
for service as soon as possible.
If the Light Is On Steady
You also may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. See Filling Your Tank on page 5-7. The
diagnostic system can determine if the fuel cap has
been left off or improperly installed. A loose or missing
fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly installed
should turn the light off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light off.
3-42
Have you recently changed brands of fuel?
If so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel. See
Gasoline Octane on page 5-5. Poor fuel quality will
cause your engine not to run as efficiently as designed.
You may notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling
when you put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation
on acceleration, or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the
light to turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least
one full tank of the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If none of the above steps have made the light turn
off, your dealer can check the vehicle. Your dealer
has the proper test equipment and diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical problems that may
have developed.
