Will unplugging the battery turn off the check engine light? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Emig5m · 02-24-2014, 01:43 PM

My car sat most of the winter outdoors and one morning I decided to start it up and let it run for a while and charge the battery. It was -8f out, the motor turned over a little slow, and when it started it was obviously missing or a couple cylinders not even firing. I turned it off and restarted it and everything fired up normally and ran smooth but the check engine light came on. So it seems like a combination of it sitting and the subzero temps caused it to miss for a few seconds upon firing it up but was shut off immediately, restarted, and everything was fine afterwards. I don't feel like the check engine light needs to still be informing me a couple cylinders where missing for a few moments when everything is fine now... So my question is, if I pull the battery terminal, will that turn off the check engine light?

Spektrum · 02-24-2014, 01:46 PM

You will need to pull both terminals and hold them against each other for about 10-15 seconds. That will drain down any reserve in the modules. Of course you want to be sure they make no contact with the battery terminals as they touch together.

GroundhogSS · 02-24-2014, 01:54 PM

Most auto parts stores can clear the light for you. You can also get the Torque app for a android phone and a Bluetooth ODB II port adapter and check/clear the codes yourself. Lots of good info available using that app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...l.torque&hl=en

Sales @ CAI Inc · 02-24-2014, 02:00 PM

^^ Drive to any local auto parts store and have them clear it with a scanner, it will take them 1-2 minutes tops, its a safer and "correct" way of doing it, and its free.

In the future, starting your car to charge the battery during a long storage is not the best idea, and you can actually do more damage than good. A better method would be to buy a battery tender and keep it on a constant charge while stored, then start it when you are actually ready to drive it.

I hope that helps!

maddoggyusa · 02-24-2014, 02:33 PM

before I had my own reset equipment, I would disconnect the negative battery cable and turn the key.... that usually clears out the codes. you might have to reconnect battery to get key out.

PalmerGA · 02-24-2014, 02:55 PM

Unplugging the battery will turn EVERYTHING off.

Emig5m · 02-24-2014, 03:51 PM

I wound up disconnecting both terminals for about five minutes while I checked all fluids. Check light is gone and I drove it around town for a while to make sure it didn't come back. Funny how the stereo will remember your bass and treble settings but not the date and time, heh. Even funnier is how these new cars can tell you the tire pressure in each tire independently but it can't tell you what check code it's throwing, lol.

Normally in the winter I drive it at least once a week to go shopping but with all the snow and salt I let it sit for a little longer than usual. I have a battery tender but it's hooked up to my jet ski.

PalmerGA · 02-24-2014, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emig5m

I have a battery tender but it's hooked up to my jet ski.

Ha! Just in case you want take it out to the lake some sunny February afternoon?

02-24-2014, 01:43 PM	#1
Emig5m 100% Sport Møde Drives: '17 Civic SI + '04 SVT Lightning Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 753	Will unplugging the battery turn off the check engine light? My car sat most of the winter outdoors and one morning I decided to start it up and let it run for a while and charge the battery. It was -8f out, the motor turned over a little slow, and when it started it was obviously missing or a couple cylinders not even firing. I turned it off and restarted it and everything fired up normally and ran smooth but the check engine light came on. So it seems like a combination of it sitting and the subzero temps caused it to miss for a few seconds upon firing it up but was shut off immediately, restarted, and everything was fine afterwards. I don't feel like the check engine light needs to still be informing me a couple cylinders where missing for a few moments when everything is fine now... So my question is, if I pull the battery terminal, will that turn off the check engine light?

02-24-2014, 01:54 PM	#3
GroundhogSS Drives: '17 2SS convertible'20 Yukon Denali Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 3,025	Most auto parts stores can clear the light for you. You can also get the Torque app for a android phone and a Bluetooth ODB II port adapter and check/clear the codes yourself. Lots of good info available using that app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...l.torque&hl=en __________________ Richard 2017 2SS SIM convertible, A8, NPP, MRC, 56R wheels, GM CAI, Diode Dynamics Side Markers, Mamo Throttle Body Delivered: 08/15/2016 #TeamBeckyD

02-24-2014, 02:55 PM	#6
PalmerGA Drives: 2013 SIM 1SS/RS L99 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southwest GA Posts: 8,754 View My Garage	Unplugging the battery will turn EVERYTHING off. __________________ 2013 1SS/RS Coupe L99, Stainless Power Works LT Headers, SCT X4 Custom Tune from RDP, CAI Inc. Air Intake w/ Apex Scoop, VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body, Solo Axle-Back Exhaust w/ J-pipes, Apex Catch Can, Husky Splash Guards, Heritage Grille, 3D Carbon Rear Spoiler, Oracle Chrome Turn Signal Bulbs, GM Reverse Light Trim Billets, Gorilla Black Locking Lugs, Emblem Pros Retro SS Badges/Custom Retro SS Kickplates/Under-hood Bowtie, 35% window Tint, Nitto Motivo Tires (6-8-18)

02-24-2014, 01:46 PM	#2
Spektrum Drives: 2013 2SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Behind you! Posts: 488 View My Garage	You will need to pull both terminals and hold them against each other for about 10-15 seconds. That will drain down any reserve in the modules. Of course you want to be sure they make no contact with the battery terminals as they touch together.

02-24-2014, 02:00 PM	#4
Sales @ CAI Inc Drives: 2010 SS/RS Supercharged 427 Build Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 5,503	^^ Drive to any local auto parts store and have them clear it with a scanner, it will take them 1-2 minutes tops, its a safer and "correct" way of doing it, and its free. In the future, starting your car to charge the battery during a long storage is not the best idea, and you can actually do more damage than good. A better method would be to buy a battery tender and keep it on a constant charge while stored, then start it when you are actually ready to drive it. I hope that helps!

02-24-2014, 02:33 PM	#5
maddoggyusa Drives: 2013 Camaro Dusk 2SS/6 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,586	before I had my own reset equipment, I would disconnect the negative battery cable and turn the key.... that usually clears out the codes. you might have to reconnect battery to get key out.

02-24-2014, 03:51 PM	#7
Emig5m 100% Sport Møde Drives: '17 Civic SI + '04 SVT Lightning Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NJ, USA Posts: 753	I wound up disconnecting both terminals for about five minutes while I checked all fluids. Check light is gone and I drove it around town for a while to make sure it didn't come back. Funny how the stereo will remember your bass and treble settings but not the date and time, heh. Even funnier is how these new cars can tell you the tire pressure in each tire independently but it can't tell you what check code it's throwing, lol. Normally in the winter I drive it at least once a week to go shopping but with all the snow and salt I let it sit for a little longer than usual. I have a battery tender but it's hooked up to my jet ski.