check engine light question

[shroomjohn]

Ok so the wife is driving the car calls me freaking out cause the car is running horrible and about to die....and it does. So now shes stuck at a little park not on the best side of town w our little girl. Im close but working and cant get over for bout 20 minutes. I tell her to contact onstar run a diagnostic and if they cant help have them send roadside. They tell her its an exhaust problem and I just put a catback on so Im like no way I get there and pop the hood first and see that somehow the main hose to the intake has worked its way loose. Ok weird but quick fix tighten it up runs fine good to go. now my real question is check engine light is on now. So do I need to go to dealer for a reset or will the fuse pull or battery disconnect do the trick? Thanks guys

[10aSSee D]

Sometimes unplugging the battery will work. Then sometimes after you do that the light comes back on later so i would try the battery first then take it to the dealer if it doesn't.

[v6sonoma]

Generally once the problem is resolved it will go off on it's own after some miles or a few start ups.

[GeorgeM]

Usually you need to go to the dealer to have the check engine light re-set. It's a way GM and all other manufacturers ensure that your car makes a service call. I would drive it for about a week, it may correct itself.

If you are impatient, you can try the fuse pull and battery disconnect, it may work and thus save you the hassle of taking it to the dealer. Remember, don't shut your trunk after disconnecting the battery. The only way to open the trunk to re-connect the battery is by crawling into the trunk via the back seat and pulling the emergency trunk release. Plus, re-indexing the windows is a hassle.

If it is running fine what is the hurry? Give it a week to 10 days and if the light is still on take it to the dealer. Sometimes the computer will re-set after a set number of start-ups.

GeorgeM

[shroomjohn]

Thanks guys Ill run it for a few days b4 anything else just that damn I sore. Also wanted to make sure everythings ok still dont understand how that damn hose came loose

[shroomjohn]

Well it worked out after bout 40 miles today it went off. Glad I didnt have to go to the dealer thanks guys

[Russell James]

All codes and CEL lights will go off by themselves once the problem is fixed and the car goes through several drive cycles without the problem being present. There are no codes that a dealer "has" to reset.

Sometimes takes a couple days, after fixing it. The only advantage to having a dealer turn off a code using a scanner is it is faster.

[kayakgemini]

I had same issues Car went dead, restarted but check engine light stayed on. I made apppt with dealer. Started car this morning but no check engine light. I still took car in and dealer said it needed new fuel pressure regulator. Yes take your car in. Im concerned that a car with 4500 miles already needs new parts!