Re-setting check engine light

ponyracer1 · Apr 24, 2006

Got an 01 Classic, 41350 miles. The prior owner said it started to mis-fire, then the check engine light came on.

Turns out he had a dead spark plug, he replaced them all, good as new.

The check engine light stayed on however, is there a simple way to reset it with out going to the dealer?

88XJSport · Apr 24, 2006

Go to Autozone and they will reset it for free.

motroutmo · Apr 24, 2006

How do they do it? I would love to be able to do this in my Driveway !

Chasjr1 · Apr 24, 2006

You need an OBD-2 Reader.

UNCC_99XJ · Apr 24, 2006

If you want to do a easy, but not complete solution, you can try unplugging the negative terminal of the battery for about half an hour. This should reset everything and turn the light off, however, I believe the code will still be saved on the computers memory, which can only be erased with an OBD-II scanner. If you plan on keeping the Jeep for a while, you might want to invest in a scanner of your own. The pretty decent ones have gotten much much cheaper over time.

motroutmo · Apr 24, 2006

I think I feel the OBD-II force puling me to the dark side...... anyone know would be a good price for a OBD-II, if I were to fall into the dark side?

kennzz05 · Apr 24, 2006

there about 100 to 125 shop around online probably better price

langer1 · Apr 24, 2006

OBD-II scanners that you can afford are (read only) and will not reset anything.

Chasjr1 · Apr 25, 2006

I have the Auto Enginuity program for my laptop and it HAS the clear MIL function.
Check the out at http://www.autoenginuity.com/

Most of the better handheld ones do. You get what you pay for when you buy them.

Matthew Currie · Apr 25, 2006

langer1 said:
OBD-II scanners that you can afford are (read only) and will not reset anything.

Actron makes a scanner in the 100 buck range that resets codes. I bought mine at Sears.

AZ Jeff · Apr 25, 2006

Matthew Currie said:
Actron makes a scanner in the 100 buck range that resets codes. I bought mine at Sears.

Agreed. I bought mine at AutoZone, and it reads AND resets codes. I paid about 85 bucks for mine.

Eagle · Apr 25, 2006

langer1 said:
OBD-II scanners that you can afford are (read only) and will not reset anything.

Not true.

Even the cheapie that Harbor Freight always has on sale for $39 clears the codes.

ponyracer1 · Apr 25, 2006

Wish I could go to autozone. I'm currently stationed in england so autozone is out. I'll try the battery thing though. Thanks for the help.

98XJSport · Apr 25, 2006

Got the cheapie from walmart, reads and clears codes. If thats not an option pull a battery terminal and turn the key like your trying to turn the engine for 10-30 seconds to drain the internal capacitors. Clears the code every time ive done it, and faster than waiting for system discharge to happen naturally.

anony91xj · Apr 25, 2006

If the problem was fixed, the light should turn itself off in 50-100 drive cycles (about 3-6 weeks). Read the codes and make sure it is in fact a misfire code and make sure the previous owner actually did fix the problem before just erasing the codes.

Yes, disconnecting the battery will erase the codes. It will also reset all the clocks, radio stations, etc though.

sjan · Apr 25, 2006

Disconnected my batt. for 15 min--it took care of my light--never came back on

PW1XJ99 · Apr 25, 2006

Eagle said:
Not true.

Even the cheapie that Harbor Freight always has on sale for $39 clears the codes.

Yep sure does.. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46030

I keep it in the glovebox along with the code book. Works great! :repair:

mrschendel · Apr 29, 2006

Just picked up the OBD-2 from Harborfreight. Works great

XgeekstarX · Apr 29, 2006

we've got an actron scanner for about 150 that reads/displays/clears codes at advance

mtruckstuff · Apr 30, 2006

Three keystrokes to "on" with the ignition switch. Codes read in the (electronic) odometer readout, right? Then disconnect the battery for a while to clear codes. Works for me. Then, of course, you repair your car so it doesn't come back on.

Had a check engine light on for 7 years on my '97, everything was OK, but it turned out to be a bad gas cap. Go figger!

Paul

Re-setting check engine light

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