How to Reset a Check Engine Light

Are you driving around Brandon and noticing your dreaded engine light is on? Are you worried that your new or pre-owned Ford is due for immediate repair at our Winnipeg service centre? A check engine light should generally shut off after receiving required maintenance. However, your check engine light may not always turn off after required maintenance. Fortunately, our certified technicians have broken down how to reset a check engine light for your convenience below!

How to Reset a Check Engine Light in 4 Easy Steps

We only recommend this course of action if you’re certain there’s nothing wrong with your engine, or if you’ve already attended your scheduled service appointment and the check engine light is still on.  Manually resetting your check engine light is the next logical action. This process might initially sound daunting to Portage la Prairie drivers who don’t often check under the hood of their car, truck, or SUV. However, resetting your check engine light is 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.

And that should do the trick! In rarer cases, you may simply have a loose or cracked gas cap, which causes fumes to release. Therefore, your engine light will illuminate as a result.  

If you’re in this specific situation, first find a safe spot to park on the side of a Dauphin road.  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 Further Assistance at Capital Ford Winnipeg

If you’re feeling unsure or prefer to let a professional reset your check engine light, you can always bring your vehicle to our service centre in Winnipeg. If you do try any of these methods at home and have service-related questions along the way, don’t hesitate to contact us. Just make sure to take a look at our service specials before you stop by Capital Ford Winnipeg to save big on your upcoming maintenance appointment!