Turn off or rest check engine light to pass smog

Clearing the Check Engine light does not repair anything - it only turns off the light and clears the error codes. The problem(s) that caused the light to occur are still going to be present and the light will probably come back on, anytime from a few minutes to a few days depending on the problem(s). What you NEED to do is to extract the error codes that come with the light and take the corrective action(s) to repair the deficiencies. That will probably make the vehicle able to pass smog checks. Of course, now that you've cleared the Check Engine light, you've also erased the error codes, so you will need to wait for it to return to get the data you need for repairs.

Take it to autozone or another place like it and have them read the codes and tell us what they are.

the code is for
mass or volume air flow circuit range/performance problem

You will need to plug in a OBD reader first and run a diagnostic check. Without this we can only guess at what may or may not be wrong with it.

Whenthe check engine light comes on, one or more diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) are stored inthe engine control module.
super vag k can plus can help you clear the fault codes.

if your check engine light isn't on, they will still hook up a diagnostic code tester to your vehicle to see if the computer has picked up any problems, if the computer has picked up a problem, and you fixed the problem, then you can have the code removed from the system, with a diagnostic code tester.

As you probably know by now there is no way to pass an emissions test as long as the check engine light is on....Your car is what they call an OBD2 system... You need to have the diagnostics codes pulled by a special tester specifically for OBD 2 systems... Once codes are pulled fix if necessary any problem and have the codes cleared... This will turn the check engine light off an enable you to pass smog providing your car is running properly...

No this is not right. If you remove the battery everything resets anyways. If they are talking about relearn procedure, it should only require 50 miles. But if the light is on than either they did something wrong, created another problem, or there was already another one existing. Have the code read and let me know what it is. I'm in Ca too and used to prep european cars for smog, so I do know what I'm looking for. How did the rest do? What were the readings(if possible)?

There is a diagnostic box under the hood (black little box) inside connect te to e1 with a paper clip and then turn key on and it flash trouble codes with the check engine light count the flashes to come up with the code. Example - - - - - - - would = code34 once you get the code post it and we can help fix the problem.

Have the vehicle scanned and a code number and definition pulled from the vehicle.This gives you the system that is malfunctioning.For the specific code,there is a diagnostic route to follow and find the problem.