Only one way to turn off a Check Engine light?

[bloda01]

MUST I use a OBDII Scan tool or is there another way?

[XR2003]

Hopefully after getting the CEL code read.


You can turn off the CEL by the Scan tool


OR remove the negative terminal from the battery for about 5 minutes.




OR removing the ECU fuse from under the hood for about 5 minutes.

[blkmatrix2003]

I've done the battery thing. The light stayed off for about a day. See my earlier post.

[bloda01]

My check engine light was on because the wife forgot to tighten the gas cap. My solution was simple, I tightened the gas cap (it clicks) then the light went away by itself, in less than a week.

[Rick F.]

Ditto on going away by itself. The computer will continue to monitor the condition that threw the code and, if it no longer exists, will reset the CEL after a predetermined amount of time in most cases.

On my 4Runners, I can pull the EFI fuse for a few minutes to reset the CEL. If the condition remained, the CEL would come back on after about 20-60 miles.

Here in the States, Autozone autoparts stores will check the code at no charge and typically reset the CEL.

[bloda01]

Interesting.

By the way, I was afraid that disconnecting the battery would cause my radio to trip a theft protection circuit, and require a code to reset it.

[edbso]

Just take it to an autoparts store and they will read the code and reset. They all do it around here and it is for free!!