The "check engine" light tells you that the ECM (computer) senses a fault in one of your cars systems. You need to find out what the OBD (onboard diagnostic) code is to determine the problem. The auto parts store will scan for the code, but most will not reset the computer. You can do that yourself by disconnecting the battery for a half hour or so after the repair has been done. If the fault isn't repaired the code will reset and the light will come back on.
Take it to an advanced auto parts or auto zone. They will plug in a computer that will tell you what’s wrong with your car if anything. This will turn the light off and doesn’t cost anything.
No. Take it to Autozone and ask them to plug in their diagnostic tool and determine the cause. They do it for free, because they will want to sell you the parts needed to correct whatever issues that you have.
No, you need to hook the car to a scanner and find out what the fault code is. Your car can run fine and still have a fault.
SOURCE: Have a 2003 Chevy Impala. Check engine light
Bank 1 is the rear O2 sensor, but experience says to change both. The front one is right behind the engine in the middle of the engine compartment. The rear O2 sensor is on the top of the exhaust pipe, just behind the catalytic converter. But the same code that shows it is the O2 sensor (which is P0420), is the same code for the catalytic converter, or a vacuum leak. Make sure if you do change the catalytic converter, ensure that the new one is OBD-2 compliant. And the vacuum leak could possibly come from the manifold gasket. Let me know what the problem was!
SOURCE: check engine light on
You cannot reset the check engine light any other way than using a scan tool. Some auto parts stores will scan the vehicle for free then at least you will know the area of the fault.
SOURCE: How do I reset my check engine light myself
On most cars you can reset the check engine light by disconnecting the computer from it's power source. Disconnect one of the terminals on your battery. The negative terminal is usually suggested but I've never noticed a difference between the two. When you reconnect it and start it up, the light should be gone until the computer comes across another problem.
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