check engine light?

Question

I have a 2004 Mits Lancer and my ck engine light came on - I need to get my car inspected by NYS and they won't pass it. Anyone have a way for "me" to reset the light- I know I should bring it to the shop but its due and I need it done asap.

I've already tried to detach the battery but it worked until I turned my car back on... thanks

Answer 1

you can take it to any auto zone and have them erase it,but it will still come back on again,the problem will have to be repaired before it will stay off other wise it will keep coming back on over and over again,good luck with it.

Answer 2

You can take your car to Autozone, they will do a free diag test on your car. They will hook up the computer to it and tell you what is wrong. Then, they will also reset the code for you. Depending on the severity of the problem, and the technician will be able to tell you that, then you can determine how soon you should take it to be inspected. If its simple, like a O2 sensor, then its not a problem to fix, and the code will reset for about a day.
If the light comes back on after the technician resets it, then the problem is one that won't go away too easily.
I've been told that if you disconnect the battery for a few minutes, it will reset the problem, along with your radio presets, but the light should go out. If it comes back on, then either that don't work for your car, or you have a bigger problem.

Answer 3

I'm a state certified vehicle safety and emissions inspector, so I'm speaking from experience here.

If your check engine light is on, it has something to do with emissions or smog components. Yes, you can clear the codes out of the computer, which will make the check engine light go off, but when you have it tested, it'll still fail.

Sorry, but you're going to have to spend money for maintenance or repairs such as computer diagnostic check and repair of whatever the problem.

It'll probally be cheaper to go through the test and fail because the vehicle test computer will print out what the fault codes are(problem diagnostic) and that way you won't have to pay some big sum of money for a computer diagnostic test.

After getting your vehicle failure report from the vehicle testing facility, just take the report to your mechanic or repair facility and have them to correct the problem listed on your inspection failure report. Your reinspect should be free.

After having the car fixed, drive it between 50 and 75 miles before getting reinspected. If the check engine light doesn't come back on after driving between 50 and 75 miles, you're good to go for passing inspection.

Answer 4

The only way to reset that light is to have a mechanic run a diagnostic scan thing on it. (yeah, I don't know what it is) But I do know it deals with computer chips. Usually those lights do not mean diddly squat, since mine comes on every time I start the engine, I know there is nothing wrong with my car because I pretty much built it piece for piece, the computer is just wrong because it thinks there is a problem because it remembers somthing being unhooked. That is all.

Answer 5

go to an auto parts store they can hook up computer and read the code and tell you what it is why the check engine light is on... I suspect its a oxygen sensor... a wild guess..

2004 year is too new to unhook battery... that won't work ask the guy at the auto parts store how to reset it

Answer 6

The check engine light usually means there is a problem which needs fixed NOW. The only way to reset the light is to fix the problem..

Answer 7

a check engine light doesnt necessarily mean it needs fixed now. it could be something as simple as an oxygen sensor or something more complex electronically. i would have a car shop read the code and see what it says.

Answer 8

I wouldn't mess with it. That happened to me twice. Once my entire car ended up dying and I had to junk it. The other time my gas cap wasn't on tight enough

Answer 9

Update all your fluids, oil water battery water, power steering fluid, brake fluid,also check fuses and lights like all your car you can do!! if still on have shop look at it !!

Answer 10

you have to get the code read and fix or disable the malfunction. Most parts places have code readers and do this for free.