mcleantmw

Is there a way to reset the Check Engine Light without taking a vehicle back to a MB Dealer? My neighbor's Benz' light came on and he thinks it's because he didn't have the gas cap on tightly when he recently filled up. The only way to be sure would be to reset the Check Engine Light and then see if it comes back on or not........then obviously would have to get the error code read.

Diesel Benz

Shouldn't it go off after a few starts if the cap is put back properly?

mcleantmw

The cap has been seated properly but it hasn't gone off yet. I don't know how these Check Engine Lights work, i.e., after the computer detects a fault and it's been fixed will it go off by itself. I thought it had to be reset manually?

Diesel Benz

This gas cap is a gasser feature, I'm not familiar with it. The check engine light does not go away after all issues even when fixed but a dealer visit after every time the gas cap is forgotten loose, sounds too tough. I could look at it but someone must be familiar with this and tell how exactly does it behave. Are you sure the gas cap is the only problem the car had?

mcleantmw

Our assumption it's the gas cap issue..........but can't be sure unless the error code is read.

tractorcrusher

Did you try disconnecting your battery to reset the CEL? You'll lose your radio presets, but it might be worth a shot.

Clinton Horn

I believe that error code will reset itself eventually. My POS 97 Chrysler Van threw a gas cap code once and I believe it cleared after 18- 20 key starts. I think the manual even hinted that it would.
Even older vehicles have some hidden codes that can be accessed.
Example
We had a 97 Ford Expedition that could re- program a new chip key if you turned the ignition on and off rapidly 7 times and clicked the radio button or some such voodoo. Trades people know much of this stuff and I do not. Kind of like the mason's guild. Keep that knowledge and sell it. That is why most of us are hear, to share knowledge

X72

Agree with Clinton Horn. If it was a loose gas cap, the check engine light should eventually go out after a few start/stop cycles. Disagree with tractorcrusher; would not mess with the battery since you would have probably have to disconnect both the main and the auxilliary batteries.

If there is an Autozone parts store nearby, you could check to see if they will loan you an OBDII code reader which you could use to read and clear the code. If there is something wrong with the car, the check engine light will eventually turn back on.

UsedMB

I had this problem with a brand new Toyota Corolla. I kept bringing it back to the local dealer to reset, and it would light-up again in a couple of weeks. On one of those visit to the dealer, somebody dented the panel below my front bumper, and I didn't find out until much later. My car is a stick shift and I think some grease monkey messed-up while moving my car around. Anyways, I brought the car back complaining and they denied damaging my car. I was so mad, I never went back to that dealer again.

So I went to the dealer I bought my car (a far drive from my house), and they fixed it on the first visit. I think it was something loose or defective with emission control system. Needless to say, I will never do any business with the local Toyota dealer again!

Good luck with your engine light! By the way, they will not let you pass smog with this. If your engine light was reset, they wouldn't smog it until not having a fault after a reset for so many miles.

tractorcrusher

My suggestion was only for the cheapest and most immediate way to reset the CEL, sorry if I mislead anyone.

platinumblue

McCleantwi........

I had this issue a year ago on several ocassions and took it to the dealer. The problem turned out to be the purge valve in the fuel system and not the gas cap thing. the scantool indicated as I recall code p0455 small/large evapo leak. I hope this helps.

jeffrey2

Pull the fuse; wait 20 seconds, then reinstall fuse. This worked for me.

mcleantmw

Which fuse are you referring to?

BoughtaBenz

fortlaudsummer

My CEL came on but I knew it was directly related to a loose gas cap. It took about a month of regular, normal usage and the light turned itself off.

mamalati77

My check engine light comes on since the car sat unused for about 5 days during our coldest weather in MD. It went off after a few stop and starts but it came back on about a week later. I check gas cap but it seems it was on tight however I opened it and closed it real tight and light went off again but about a couple of days it came back on.

Any help before I take it to dealer

Plutoe

have the faults read before you go!!