Does disconnecting your battery reset your check engine light
#1
Does disconnecting your battery reset your check engine light
I know they give you directions on the how to's section, but I heard that if you disconnect the negative cable on your battery for 15 mins, the ECU will reset thus not having the check engine light. I need to do this so I can smog my car cuz here in California they wont even smog it if the engine light is on. thanks anybody. this might be the wrong place for this post, but i couldnt figure out which one would be best.
#2
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Clear the errors correctly by fixing the problem first. Use the method of clearing codes via the ECU screw under the dash. The process is in the stickys at the top of this page.
If you simply clear the error code and still have a recurring problem, when you go to inspection and they plug into your OBDII they will either see an error or get a "not ready state" causing you to fail even if the light is off.
If you simply clear the error code and still have a recurring problem, when you go to inspection and they plug into your OBDII they will either see an error or get a "not ready state" causing you to fail even if the light is off.
#3
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Originally Posted by njmaxseltd
Clear the errors correctly by fixing the problem first. Use the method of clearing codes via the ECU screw under the dash. The process is in the stickys at the top of this page.
If you simply clear the error code and still have a recurring problem, when you go to inspection and they plug into your OBDII they will either see an error or get a "not ready state" causing you to fail even if the light is off.
If you simply clear the error code and still have a recurring problem, when you go to inspection and they plug into your OBDII they will either see an error or get a "not ready state" causing you to fail even if the light is off.
#6
You can take off the neg. battery terminal to clear dash CEL, it has to be off for 24 hours or more. It is easy to find the ecu and reset it yourself. Just take off the plastic piece near gas pedal, turn key to acc, with a tiny flathead turn right to stop wait 2 sec. left to stop wait 2 sec. repeat a couple times. Next start no CEL. If you f@ck it up its not my fault, many people break these screws, just be gentle. It only turns a little each way, make sure you put it back to the left when your done.
#7
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Originally Posted by Tim96I30t
You can take off the neg. battery terminal to clear dash CEL, it has to be off for 24 hours or more. It is easy to find the ecu and reset it yourself. Just take off the plastic piece near gas pedal, turn key to acc, with a tiny flathead turn right to stop wait 2 sec. left to stop wait 2 sec. repeat a couple times. Next start no CEL. If you f@ck it up its not my fault, many people break these screws, just be gentle. It only turns a little each way, make sure you put it back to the left when your done.
#8
Originally Posted by JFP in PA
So what? He will STILL FAIL INSPECTION........................
#9
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Originally Posted by Tim96I30t
Depending what is wrong, a CEL can come up for a number of reasons, sometimes they mean nothing and can be cleared w/o affecting inspection.
#10
Take the car to a parts store with an OBD scanner (Autozone, Advance Auto, for example) and they will check the fault. It may be something easy to fix or there may not be a fault. They will reset the CEL and sell you any parts you may need.
Regarding the inspection, if he fixes the fault and resets the CEL, will it still read "not ready"?
Regarding the inspection, if he fixes the fault and resets the CEL, will it still read "not ready"?
#11
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Originally Posted by Ridge Runner
Regarding the inspection, if he fixes the fault and resets the CEL, will it still read "not ready"?
#12
You can pass inspection with a variable speed sensor code, there are more I am not going to list them. These codes and some others do not affect emissions or safety, they will know you have these but they can not fail you for them. So don't act like you know every states requirements, JFP in Pa.
#13
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Originally Posted by Tim96I30t
You can pass inspection with a variable speed sensor code, there are more I am not going to list them. These codes and some others do not affect emissions or safety, they will know you have these but they can not fail you for them. So don't act like you know every states (Sic) requirements, JFP in Pa.
#15
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Originally Posted by MaximaEvolution
#16
Yea.. thats pretty much the general rule all over. I dont know whether or not each state may have certain requirements, or be lenient in certain areas, but I know for sure in NY if your car is '96 or newer, any CEL means failure until the car is repaired and the CEL is cleared.
#17
for a 97 5sp there are 8 selftests the ecu has to complete. just by starting it and driving for 5 min will complete about 4. You need 6 completes to pass. This is in cali. Go to your local smog guy and ask him for the obdII book, in there he will tell you the 12 steps it takes to complete all 8 selftests.
#18
You can take off the neg. battery terminal to clear dash CEL, it has to be off for 24 hours or more. It is easy to find the ecu and reset it yourself. Just take off the plastic piece near gas pedal, turn key to acc, with a tiny flathead turn right to stop wait 2 sec. left to stop wait 2 sec. repeat a couple times. Next start no CEL. If you f@ck it up its not my fault, many people break these screws, just be gentle. It only turns a little each way, make sure you put it back to the left when your done.
#19
If the key is in Accessory, the ECU gets no power. Hence, no code reading.
It's a very simple procedure:
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