How to Reset a Check Engine Light

Have you ever been greeted by the ominous glow of a check engine light on your dashboard? If you’ve already addressed the issue and that pesky light still remains, you may need to reset the check engine light. This step-by-step guide from the team at Leson Chevrolet Company, Inc. walks you through how to reset a check engine light and when to seek professional help at your local Belle Chasse service center.

If There is a Problem, Have it Resolved

If you’ve reached the point where you’re wondering how you can reset a check engine light, you’re either sure there’s nothing wrong, or you’ve decided not to fix it right now. While this is ultimately the driver’s decision, we urge you to take care of the issue as soon as it arises, for your own safety. Plus, ignoring a problem now can cause it to snowball into a much bigger issue over time. You can easily schedule service online to have the experienced technicians at Leson Chevrolet Company, Inc. get you back on Metairie roads.

Disconnect the Negative Battery Cable

If you haven’t found any problem that needs to be addressed, manually resetting your check engine light is the next logical action. To those who aren’t overly familiar with what’s under the hood of their car, this may sound incredibly daunting. It’s quite easy! Just follow these steps:

1. Turn off the ignition and put on safety glasses and gloves
2. Locate the negative terminal. Usually, it has a black cap and a negative (–) symbol. For reference, the positive cap is red and will have a positive (+) symbol.
3. Loosen the nut on the negative terminal with a wrench, then pull the negative connector from the battery. Keep it to the side for 30 – 60 seconds.
4. Reconnect the negative cable and tighten it back up with your wrench.

This should do the trick, but if it doesn’t, we’ve got another option for you to try. Please note that disconnecting your battery may also reset your infotainment system.

Check Your Gas Cap

You may simply have a loose or cracked gas cap, which causes fumes to release. Often, your engine light will illuminate as a result. When you’re safely parked, simply remove your gas cap and put it right back on. If the engine light doesn’t turn off right away after you perform this check, follow the steps above to disconnect the battery, and you should be good to go!

Get More Service Tips at Leson Chevrolet Company, Inc.

Now that you know how to reset a check engine light, our team of experts is here to help if you have any further questions or need additional service tips. If you’re still unable to reset the check engine light, it could be a sign of an underlying issue with your vehicle. Don’t wait—schedule an appointment with us online or give us a call at (877) 496-2420. We’ll diagnose the problem and get you back to cruising around New Orleans with peace of mind!