Check engine light
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I bought the $98 scanner from Walmart which will display and clear codes. Mine had no codes, but the nice part is that it can be used on lots of other cars too. Its already helped two other people with CEL lights on.
Moderator emeritus
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 18,599
Likes: 3,956
From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
1) If the problem is corrected, the light will go out by itself after a few "cycles" of checking. The code will be stored for "history" but the light will go off.
2) If the battery (negative lead) is disconnected for 10 or so minutes, it will clear the codes and remove them from "history" and turn off the dash CEL ( but see #3).
3) If the code problem is not corrected and you clear the codes with a scanner OR you use the disconnected battery action, the codes will simply toss the light back on to your dash.
Bottom line? Fix the issue and then clear the codes.
Elmer
2) If the battery (negative lead) is disconnected for 10 or so minutes, it will clear the codes and remove them from "history" and turn off the dash CEL ( but see #3).
3) If the code problem is not corrected and you clear the codes with a scanner OR you use the disconnected battery action, the codes will simply toss the light back on to your dash.
Bottom line? Fix the issue and then clear the codes.
Elmer
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,867
Likes: 307
From: Wantagh,L.I. New York
1) If the problem is corrected, the light will go out by itself after a few "cycles" of checking. The code will be stored for "history" but the light will go off.
2) If the battery (negative lead) is disconnected for 10 or so minutes, it will clear the codes and remove them from "history" and turn off the dash CEL ( but see #3).
3) If the code problem is not corrected and you clear the codes with a scanner OR you use the disconnected battery action, the codes will simply toss the light back on to your dash.
Bottom line? Fix the issue and then clear the codes.
Elmer
2) If the battery (negative lead) is disconnected for 10 or so minutes, it will clear the codes and remove them from "history" and turn off the dash CEL ( but see #3).
3) If the code problem is not corrected and you clear the codes with a scanner OR you use the disconnected battery action, the codes will simply toss the light back on to your dash.
Bottom line? Fix the issue and then clear the codes.
Elmer
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
If you live in a State that requires annual inspection via the OBD plug, don't disconnect the battery to close to your inspection date. Doing so will cause a "not ready" reading on the States inspection computer and result in a failed test. After changing batteries or removing a terminal for any length of time it take about a week of driving for the OBD port to give a reading.
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From: Scottsdale AZ
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,087
Likes: 29
From: Murfreesboro TN
If you live in a State that requires annual inspection via the OBD plug, don't disconnect the battery to close to your inspection date. Doing so will cause a "not ready" reading on the States inspection computer and result in a failed test. After changing batteries or removing a terminal for any length of time it take about a week of driving for the OBD port to give a reading.
Disconnecting the battery or clearing codes with a scanner will cause the tests to reset and they will have to start and complete their magic before you can have your car inspected if it's done by a OBD port.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,198
Likes: 0
From: Tucson Arizona
surprised I'm the first
If the gas cap is not seated correctly, you get the Check Engine Light. We always get it after filling the tank. No matter how careful we are replacing the cap. Sometimes 2-3 days before it goes off. I recall it has something to due with starting cycles? While the car was at the dealer for a service appointment, we asked to get a new one. Figured they would replace it just to get the warranty service money. Service writer reported nothing wrong with the old one. That was warranty, this is now.
