Learn How to Reset a Check Engine Light

What do you do if the dreaded check engine light illuminates on your dashboard and doesn’t turn off? Of course, the first thing to do is bring your vehicle in for an inspection. If there are any issues, fixing them will typically make the engine light turn off. In some instances, however, the check engine light pops up while nothing is wrong. If you’ve ruled out any problems and want the light off for your Atlanta commutes, it’s fairly easy to reset a check engine light yourself. Read the guide below to learn how to reset a check engine light, and contact us if you need help along the way.

If There is a Problem, Have it Resolved

If you’ve reached the point where you’re wondering how to 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 Volkswagen of Marietta get you back on Smyrna 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 vehicle’s 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 in Kennesaw, simply remove your gas cap and put it right back on. If the engine light doesn’t turn off after you perform this check, follow the steps above to disconnect the battery, and you should be good to go.

Visit the Volkswagen of Marietta Service Center for Additional Help

Do you have any questions about how to reset a check engine light? Our service team is here to assist you in Marietta! Don’t miss out on our rotating service offers, and explore additional service tips on our website if you’re looking for more helpful information.