How do I clear Engine codes?

Taaaaaaahoe? · November 2, 2003

Im trying to figure out if I have fixed my problem...How do I clear engine codes to turn off SES light. (without a scan tool) On my Jeep I could just remove the - ground from the batt for a few min. Is that the same for my 02 Tahoe 5.3L ???

Mike

Wingnut · November 3, 2003

That works on my 92....Don't know about an 02 though. Wouldn't hurt to try it.

raventai · November 3, 2003

if the problem was fixed the light woudl go away by itself after so many starts, even if unhooking the batery clears the problem out of memory the light will be back because there is still a problem

fix it

Taaaaaaahoe? · November 3, 2003

if the problem was fixed the light woudl go away by itself after so many starts, even if unhooking the batery clears the problem out of memory the light will be back because there is still a problem

fix it

Right, I agree thats not going to FIX it...but I guess I was wondering if it will "Clear" it so when I do try a new part or whatever I can see if that was the problem without waitng the x-amount of "drive cycles" to see if problem was fixed

Mike

asepgrad98 · November 3, 2003

dont think the battery trick has worked since 1995models. Many states now pass/fail your emissions worthyness of your car based on the SES light. they dont want it to be that easy to beat the system.

Taaaaaaahoe? · November 3, 2003

dont think the battery trick has worked since 1995models. Many states now pass/fail your emissions worthyness of your car based on the SES light. they dont want it to be that easy to beat the system.

Yeah, but your not really beating the system, for if the problem is still there....it will come back on.

I heard I can disco it for 15 min to clear...but I dono

ridnlow · November 3, 2003

I had a SES light come on in my 99 tahoe.. took it to autozone they checked to see what code it was and then cleared it.. no problems after that

AZ-Z71 · November 3, 2003

Autozone will clear it if you fixed it. They cleared one on mine after testing it. The second time the light came back on, and a different Autozone, they didn't clear it, and I yet fixed it. Got a low flow code for the drivers side exhaust. May be because of a broken manifold bolt.

Fixed my girlfriends car that had the light and she took it in to Autozone for them to clear it. The guy first gave here some hassle about clearing it that she had to fix it first. After telling him three time that I changed her plug wires (misfiring, burned hole in one of the boots) then he cleared it.

sjspor · November 4, 2003

You can buy a simple code reader that will read the active codes and clear them. Just surf around and for about 130 bucks you can get one.

You can also build you own cable, and there is lots of free OBD-II shareware and use your own laptop.

There is even software now that will give you a dash board output to your laptop, but

no one has the tech-2 software so you run diags and change parms.

I'd get the code reader, your going to need it again, and again and again anyway.

100R1 · November 4, 2003

Yes, Just disconnect the battery for 15 minutes and that will clear codes.

If the problem that set the code still exist then the check engine light will come on again. Thats a real P.I.T.A. to do every time you think you fixed the problem and if you have several different problems kicking off the codes.

By the way if you fix the problem, The check engine light will clear it self out after a set number of driving cycles (don't remember the exact #).

A scanner is a valuable tool to have in your tool box with todays vehicles. The cost has droped over the years to be more affordable today.

I use the following:

http://obddiagnostics.com/

Free download of software

I purchased a cable from the site for around $ 75.00

(I could have built one for a few dollars less, But decided to get the pre-built version

I currently run the program on my compaq laptop running windows 98. I use to run the program in DOS running windows 3.1 on a old laptop with no memory or processor speed (freebe laptop)

You could also move your desktop out to the vehicle and rub the program in full color 32 bit processor. ( I did that one time and decided to buy a new laptop because it is a much better running program.)

Taaaaaaahoe? · November 4, 2003

Thats pretty cool,

About 80 bucks shipped and plug it right into my laptop. Humm, may have to buy the connector!

MIke

99-2door · November 4, 2003

I have been looking for an excuse to buy a laptop. Think I just found it.

firecadet613 · November 4, 2003

Doesn't sound like a bad deal, I miss being able to use a Snap On scanner everyday in H/S if I wanted to on my truck last year. $80 sounds better than what I new scanner costs!!

99 2-door take a look at Dells, I've got an Inspiron 1100, way more than I need but not one problem at all