Resetting the Check Engine Light
 

I was curious if anyone had a suggestion in regards to resetting the check engine light on a 2002 E430.

I live about 300 miles from the closest dealership, so I may have to drive around with the light lit. There's no fault that I can find with the car and I may have resolved the issue that made the light come on when I filled it up.

I've read other responses regarding AutoZone being able to reset the light; our local AutoZone does not reset the light.

However, they did provided a suggestion; I was told that by momentarily disconnecting the + (positive) side of the battery, that would reset the light. Anyone know how true could this be or provide any other suggestion?

Southern New Mexico would be a good place to be an owner of an OBDII code reader, which will reset the light, and of course read the fault code(s). The low end is $50 to $100, available just about anywhere, Walmart, Sears, auto parts stores, eBay, etc. Actron and Equus Innova are two leading vendors - try an search, here and internet.

Just get an inexpensive code reader. It will clear the light and any pending codes. Of course, the CEL is there for a reason and if you do have a problem it will just come back on.

Harbor Freight has a reader (Part No. 94169) which is often on sale via the website for $39 but is usually $59 at the store. Just gives the code and you have to look up description in booklet or on CD. More expensive ones have the description programmed into the reader. Not worth the extra $40 bucks for my tastes. Good luck.

Disconnecting the battery will reset the light.

You'll then have to reset windows, steering, etc., and enter the radio security code. That will all be covered in owners manual.

If the light comes back, you haven't fixed the problem, i.e. lights only reset after the problem is fixed.

Of course, if you just do nothing--and the problem is fixed--the light will go out in a few days anyway.

Take off the negative cable. It doesn't make any difference as regards resetting the light, but it's a lot safer to remove the negative as there's no problem with your wrench contacting something, etc.

If I remember correctly, you have to disconnect the battery for about 30 minutes or so.

Disconnect the battery for 5 minutes. This will reset the check engine light.