How to Reset the Check Engine Light On Your Dash

Most drivers in Crawfordville are probably familiar with the sinking feeling of seeing the check engine light illuminate on their dashboard. The best case scenario is that you bring your car in for an inspection and discover that it’s just a minor issue, or potentially no issue at all. Sometimes, the check engine light stays on, even after you’ve had your car serviced. If you want to make that distracting light turn off, learn how to reset a check engine light with our service center.

Get Your Car Inspected Before Resetting the Check Engine Light

We know how tempting it is to reset a check engine light as soon as it pops up, so you can go about driving in Quincy without the annoyance. While there are harmless flukes that can trigger the check engine light when there isn’t actually a problem to fix, it’s important that you have the car inspected to be sure. If there’s an underlying issue, the last thing you want to do is ignore it until it worsens and becomes potentially dangerous. We make it easy to find an appointment that works with your schedule at Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet!

If you’ve had the inspection and any identified issues were resolved but the engine light remains, you can keep reading to learn how to reset a check engine light.

Reset a Check Engine Light: Method 1

Often, the most surefire way to reset a check engine light is to do so manually. This involves disconnecting the negative battery cable, which isn’t too difficult to do at home in Havana! Here’s how:

1. Turn your car off, pop the hood, and find yourself some safety glasses and protective gloves.
2. Under the hood, find the negative battery terminal. It should have a black cap with a negative symbol (–).
3. Using a battery terminal wrench, loosen the nut on the negative terminal. Grab the negative connector cable and gently pull it to rest at the side of the battery. Keep it aside for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
4. Reconnect the negative connector cable to the negative terminal and use the wrench to fasten it tightly.

Start your car up and you should find that the engine light is now off. Note: Following the above steps could reset your car’s infotainment system, potentially erasing any presets you’ve programmed.

If this first method doesn’t work to reset your check engine light, we have another method to try out, below.

Reset a Check Engine Light: Method 2

Sometimes a loose or cracked gas cap triggers the check engine light, due to the release of fumes. Try removing the gas cap, then be sure it’s seated properly and tightly when you screw it back into place. This alone might reset the engine light, but if it doesn’t, you can try following the quick steps for the aforementioned method once more. If the two in conjunction still don’t reset the check engine light, it may be time for a trip down the service lane.

Need Help? We Can Reset Your Engine Light.

If you’re determined to turn your check engine light off but have been unsuccessful using the methods outlined here, stop by our service center in Tallahassee! Our technicians can take a look at your vehicle and reset the check engine light for you. With any questions before then, please contact us and our service advisors will be glad to assist.