You can disconnect the positive wire from the battery terminal for 5 minutes and then hook it back up. This will clear the computer of any problem codes and turn off the engine light. If the problem code was for something minor like an emmisions sensor fault, O2 sensor fault or a gas cap problem, the light will remain off. Codes like those are usually temporary problems but the car's computer will keep them in memory for a determined number of starts, thus making the engine light come on. If it is a more serious problem and there is something wrong with the engine, the code will get reported again the engine light will come on again after hooking up the battery.
If the engine light comes back on after a battery disconnect, first bring it to a local garage that has a code reader as they will probably charge much less than the dealership for a computer diagnosis. They will be able to read the code and determine the reason the engine light is coming on. It may be something as simple as a wire that got disconnected somewhere. You can take that knowledge and make a decision on whether to bring it to the dealership for service.
Hope this helps,
Pete
P.S. If the engine light ever starts blinking, PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY and call a tow truck. Blinking engine light means something is seriously wrong with your engine.
You can disconnect the positive wire from the battery terminal for 5 minutes and then hook it back up. This will clear the computer of any problem codes and turn off the engine light. If the problem code was for something minor like an emmisions sensor fault, O2 sensor fault or a gas cap problem, the light will remain off. Codes like those are usually temporary problems but the car's computer will keep them in memory for a determined number of starts, thus making the engine light come on. If it is a more serious problem and there is something wrong with the engine, the code will get reported again the engine light will come on again after hooking up the battery.
If the engine light comes back on after a battery disconnect, first bring it to a local garage that has a code reader as they will probably charge much less than the dealership for a computer diagnosis. They will be able to read the code and determine the reason the engine light is coming on. It may be something as simple as a wire that got disconnected somewhere. You can take that knowledge and make a decision on whether to bring it to the dealership for service.
Hope this helps,
Pete
P.S. If the engine light ever starts blinking, PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY and call a tow truck. Blinking engine light means something is seriously wrong with your engine.