This guide outlines how to erase a check engine light from your dashboard, explaining ways to do it without — and with — a diagnostic tool.
Your vehicle’s check engine light is on. You want to turn it off but you don’t know how to do it and you don’t want to go to a workshop. It is entirely possible to turn off the check engine light using methods with or without a diagnostic tool.
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How to erase a check engine light: overview
Before clearing the error code that appears, it is important to know the cause of the problem. If the indicator light reports a malfunction and indicates that a repair to the mechanics is required and has not yet been carried out, the orange indicator light begins to light up immediately.
What does it mean if the check engine light is flashing
A check engine light is an alert that there is either an error code or a problem. If the check engine light comes on briefly when starting a vehicle, there is no reason to worry. However, if it does not go out after starting, there appears to be an error. Although not a serious one. However, an immediate danger to the engine cannot be ruled out.
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A flashing check engine light is a sign that there is a serious fault. The flashing often occurs when the ignition or combustion misfires. The result can be further damage to the engine and vehicle. Here you should take the vehicle to a workshop immediately. If other warning lights also give signals, you should stop the vehicle immediately and urgently visit a workshop.
Cause of the indicator light lighting up: error codes
The indicator light on your dashboard informs you that there is a problem with your vehicle. The problem may arise from several parts of the car and indicate various errors:
- Error in the airbag system: The airbag indicator light lights up
- Engine error: The check engine light comes on
- Error in the electronic stability control: The ESC/ESP indicator light lights up
- Fault in the anti-lock braking system: The ABS indicator light lights up
etc.
How to determine why the check engine light is on?
The error detected by the car’s on-board computer is stored in your vehicle’s control unit. For example, if the check engine light comes on, the engine control unit has detected a malfunction originating from the engine.
This error code can only be detected by connecting a diagnostic device to the car’s OBD connector. The error code is stored exclusively in the control unit.
However, it is possible to turn off the dashboard alert without a diagnostic tool if you follow the steps below for how to erase a check engine light.
Caution: If the problem that caused the engine failure and caused the check engine light to come on in your car is not resolved, the check engine light will come on again immediately. This method will not clear the error code.
How to erase check engine light without a diagnostic tool
How to erase check engine light: Disconnect battery
- Park the car in a safe and level place. Apply the handbrake and open the hood.
- Disconnect the black negative (-) cable from the battery. You can loosen the clamp on the battery connector with a regular wrench.
- Disconnect the red positive (+) cable from the battery. Under no circumstances should the plus and minus cables touch each other.
- After disconnecting the cable from the battery, turn the ignition on and off 3 to 5 times.
- Press the horn. Do this for 30 seconds to 1 minute so that all of the electrical energy stored in the controller’s capacitor is used up. The horn is connected to the thermal circuit. It can therefore be activated regardless of the position of the ignition key. If the battery is disconnected, pressing the horn can drain all the electricity from the controller.
- This step is optional; However, we recommend that you wait another 10 to 15 minutes and then reconnect the battery.
Reconnect the cable to the car battery. Start with the red positive terminal and then the black negative terminal. Make sure the clamp is fully tightened. - Turn on the ignition and check that the check engine light on the dashboard is illuminated. Start the engine and let it warm up. The check engine light should then go out.
How to erase check engine light: accelerator pedal
This method only works on vehicles with an electronic accelerator pedal. This is drive-by-wire, so your vehicle is controlled electrically instead of with a classic mechanical connection.
- Check whether your vehicle has an electronic accelerator pedal. Otherwise, these instructions will not help you.
- Sit in your vehicle and have a piece of paper and pen ready. Now insert the key into the ignition lock. Leave the key in the normal position and press the brake pedal and accelerator pedal firmly.
- Now turn the ignition key to “ignition”. For vehicles without an ignition lock, activate the ignition using the start button.
- If everything went well, you will now see the check engine light in the display and numbers will be displayed at short intervals. Write these numbers down on the notepad.
- If the check engine light flashes continuously without stopping, it indicates that you do not have a fault in the fault memory.
How to erase a check engine light using a diagnostic tool
If the battery technique above doesn’t work or you prefer an easier method, consider getting a diagnostic tool. If you purchase one, you can clear your check engine light with a few simple steps:
- Connect your diagnostic kit to your car’s OBD socket.
- Connect the EOBD software to the diagnostic device.
- Select the “Diagnostics” tab and click “Read.”
- Make sure the error does not require repair.
- Click “Delete.”
- You have now deleted the errors found and thus also the check engine light on the dashboard.
Frequently asked questions
What could be wrong if the check engine light is on?
Causes that can cause the light to activate include various potential malfunctions. Impairment of the lambda sensor, a defect in one of the ignition coils, problems with the injection system and damage to the particle filter or catalytic converter are some of the problems that the check engine light informs us about.
How long can you drive if the check engine light is on?
If the check engine light only lights up briefly or stays on, you can still move the vehicle. However, you should get to the bottom of the matter within 60 miles. If the check engine light flashes continuously, you should drive straight to the nearest workshop or if you are more than 6 miles from a workshop, call the breakdown service and have the car towed.
Can the check engine light go off on its own?
When you start the ignition, all warning lights come on. Also the check engine light. This is a control function of the advertisements. If the check engine light only lights up briefly while driving, an error code has been stored. This can be read and then analyzed.
