How to Reset a Check Engine Light

It’s a pesky issue that almost every North Charleston driver will experience at some point. Your check engine light pops on, so you bring your vehicle in to be inspected by a professional and, if needed, you get the proper services carried out. But even after all of this, the check engine light remains illuminated. It can be annoying to see the light remain on even after you’ve had everything checked out; in this guide, the service team at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet shows you how to reset a check engine light.

First Things First: Resolve Any Existing Service Issues

If you’re ready to reset the check engine light, you’ve either determined that there is nothing actually wrong with your vehicle (the engine light does pop up without reason on occasion), or you’ve decided not to address the issue immediately. Of course, this is ultimately the individual Mount Pleasant driver’s decision to make, but it is recommended that you fix any issues with your vehicle as soon as they arise. Not only does this ensure your safety, but it will prevent the issue from escalating into something bigger and costlier down the line.

Try Disconnecting the Negative Battery Cable

If you can’t find any issue that needs taking care of, you can try a manual reset of the check engine light by disconnecting the negative battery cable. Doing so is easier than it may sound; just follow the steps outlined below:

1. Turn off the ignition and allow the vehicle to cool down completely. When it’s cooled down, put on safety glasses and gloves and pop the hood.
2. Locate the negative terminal on the battery, which is usually identifiable by a black cap with a negative symbol.
3. Use a wrench to loosen the nut on the negative terminal, then pull the negative connector from the battery. Set it to the side for 30 – 60 seconds.
4. Reconnect the negative cable and tighten it up again using your wrench.

This often does the trick for James Island drivers, but if your check engine light remains illuminated after following the above steps, there is one more option for you to try. Please note, when you disconnect the negative battery cable, your infotainment system may reset itself.

Is Your Gas Cap Loose?

Sometimes, the culprit of an engine light that won’t go off is a loose or cracked gas cap! This causes fumes to release from the gas tank, which is why it might set off the check engine light. When your vehicle is parked in a spot where it’s safe to walk around to the side your fuel tank is on, simply remove the gas cap and put it right back on. You may need to drive the car for several minutes in order to reset the check engine light. If this doesn’t work, try removing and replacing the gas cap one more time, followed by repeating the steps above to disconnect the battery cable. Once you do, the engine light should finally turn off.

Need Additional Help? Schedule Service With Rick Hendrick Chevrolet

If you’ve tried the tricks we covered here for how to reset a check engine light and it is still lighting up on your dash, a trip to our service center may be necessary. Contact us or schedule an appointment online to get started today! While you’re here, our service techs will inspect your vehicle to double-check whether there is an underlying issue causing the engine light to stay on. If not, they’ll get to work on resetting that pesky light once and for all!