Why does the check engine light come on and how do you reset it?

Answer

The " check engine light" is by far one of the most misunderstood technological advances by the public. It is a warning light that is illuminated when there is a problem with the EMISSION SYSTEM only. It is also known as a malfunction indicator light (MIL). You can disconnect the battery red lead for about 5 min and it will reset. However if it is a hard fault it will come back. Pull the codes from the computer using an OBD (II) code reader. Match the code to the troubleshooting procedure, follow the procedure to find the source. Repair the source, light will go out if that was the only problem. There are "monitors" or self tests the computer runs the car through a drive cycle, if a problem occurs, it may not run all of the self tests until that problem is taken care. Therefore, another problem may exist.

The "check engine light" is by far one of the most misunderstood technological advances by the public. It is a warning light that is illuminated when there is a problem with the EMISSION SYSTEM only. Emission system being the pollution control system. It is a good thing once you understand it. One point that was brought up a a recent meeting of technicians was that the amount of hydrocarbons is greater when the gas cap is left off than when the engine is running. Hydrocarbons are part of pollution emitted as gasoline evaporates. Going a step farther, one facet of the emission system is the "Evaporative" portion. This is when the fumes from the gasoline are leaking from the system into the outside air. This is one part of the emission system that can trigger a check engine light. I would say that about 7% of the vehicles that have a check engine light are the result of a loose or inadequate gas cap. But understand that many scenarios are possible with the "check engine light" The vehicle's powertrain computer (note that some vehicles have 17 different computers) will run a series of self-tests. They will only run under certain criteria and they can be vastly different from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some self-tests are not run until preceding ones have run successfully. So if there is a problem in one particular area that is preventing another self test from running, you can have a situation where one problem is fixed, but another still exists. If you fix a problem and drive the car through a drive cycle that sets the monitor (or self test) the light will go off as it passes that criteria that triggered it in the first place.

After 1996, the auto industry went to a idea called OBD II (on board diagnostics). This was to get all the manufacturers onto a similar plane for troubleshooting and powertrain control. While they still differ vastly, many corrections and adaptations were made for technicians to better fix the check engine light problems. Prior to this there were so many different and poor troubleshooting data from a check engine light problem that resolving the problem was much more difficult. Many early warning light of this nature were set to illuminate based on mileage. An Oxygen sensor was one of the things that were meant to be replaced when that mileage was hit. This is much like many current "Change oil lights� that are set based on a pre-set mileage.

Without a scan tool designed to reset the ecm a do it your selfer can't reset the check engine light. Disconecting the battery won't do the trick on obd 2 vehicles.

ANSWER

Great question and good answer above. There is one thing to add however. On my 2004 Buick for example I am required to Manually reset the "check oil" light myself every time I get an oil change. This ensures that the system understands the condition the oil is in. If/When I do not, not long after my expected date the light goes on by default as a reminder.

Your instruction manual would outline this. Mine for example is simply...

1. Insert key

2. Turn key to ON, without engaging engine (just before the engine cranks, and leave key there)

3. When placed to ON, press and depress the brake slowly 5 times in 5 seconds.

4. Turn key to off.

5. Turn key and start engine.

The check engine light is now reset, if it returns shortly it is an actual issue, rather then a reminder.

First answer by Brad. Last edit by Eglar. Contributor trust: 3 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 184 [recommend question]