How to Reset Check Engine Light

Has your check engine light come on recently during your daily Oxnard commute? Interested in learning how to reset a check engine light? Your check engine light serves an important vehicle maintenance purpose. However, there are times when you’ve already dealt with the issue or there’s nothing wrong with your engine, yet the light remains on your dashboard. Find out how to reset check engine lights with the Ventura Volkswagen Service experts below!

How to Reset Check Engine Light: Disconnect the Negative Battery Cable

Have you already taken your new or pre-owned Volkswagen to our Ventura Auto Center for inspection? Is your check engine light still on after successfully addressing the issue? Then you’ll have to shut it off manually. However, this is a relatively simple process. Just follow the guidelines below to reset your check engine light: 

1. Turn Off Car: Turn off the ignition and put on safety glasses and gloves.
2. Identify Negative Terminal: 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. Remove Negative Connector: 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 Negative Connector: Reconnect the negative cable and tighten it back up with your wrench.

How to Reset Check Engine Light: Check Your Gas Cap

If you’ve tried to disconnect the negative battery cable, but that pesky check engine light is still on your dashboard, there may be another cause. Your Volkswagen car, truck, or SUV’s check engine light may still be on because of a loose or cracked gas cap. In this case, you’ll want to:

• Park Your Vehicle: Park your Volkswagen safely on the side of a Santa Barbara or Camarillo road.
• Locate Your Gas Cap: Find your gas cap and remove it gently.
• Put Gas Cap Back On: Reverse the above motion and place the gas cap securely back on.

The engine light should turn off shortly after. Keep in mind that if you don’t see any noticeable changes on your dashboard, you may have to repeat the above steps a few more times before your car registers that the gas cap is securely fastened.

Get Your Check Engine Light Reset at Ventura Volkswagen

Keep in mind that typically, if your check engine light does come on, your Volkswagen is trying to alert you to a potential maintenance issue. So, if it’s time to come in for routine repairs, we humbly invite you to schedule service at Ventura Volkswagen to get the help you need! Just be sure to check out our service specials before you stop by to save yourself money on your upcoming appointment!