There are times when checking the engine light on your Subaru will make you anxious. You can never be too careful when it comes to your car. But sometimes the car teched out for you, an honest guy who works hard for what you have.
Just because something doesn’t show up on paper doesn’t mean it’s not wrong. But when the service engine light finally turns off, once you’ve taken it in, got it repaired, and the darn thing just won’t turn off, you gotta reset the check engine light on your Subaru.
In this article we will look at how a Subaru check engine light reset.
Topic Summary
- Understanding the Subaru Check Engine Light
- When to Reset the Check Engine Light
- What to Do Before Subaru Check Engine Light Resetting
- Steps to Reset the Subaru Check Engine Light
- Maintenance Tips for Subaru Check Engine Light Reset
- FAQs On Subaru Check Engine Light Reset
- How long will the check engine light stay on after fixing the problem?
- Is it safe to drive my Subaru with the check engine light on?
- Why would a loose fuel cap cause the ‘check engine’ light to turn on?
- Do I need a professional mechanic to reset the check engine light?
- Will resetting the check engine light pass an emissions test?
- Conclusion
Understanding the Subaru Check Engine Light
And so, before we go through the reset procedure, let’s talk about why the light comes on in the first place. There are many possibilities. They include:
- Faulty oxygen sensors
- Loose or damaged gas cap
- Catalytic converter issues
- Spark plug/ignition coil problems
- Mass airflow sensor malfunction
When to Reset the Check Engine Light
The check-engine warning light on your Subaru is a useful diagnostic tool, but knowing when to deactivate it is also important. If the light comes on, there is either a third-grade mechanic under the hood or a problem that must be diagnosed and addressed.
Most often, it’s the latter: loose gas caps, bad oxygen sensors, and catalytic converters are among the potential culprits. After the issue is fixed, turning off the check engine light confirms that the car is running again and also prevents neurotic hand-wringing.
Repairing the fault itself is usually recommended because it shuts off the light until the next time you reset it by driving the car for a solid 15 minutes. If you reset it without repairing the trouble code, you might never know that an ongoing problem is the cause of your warning light.
Sure, it’s fairly easy to reset the check engine light: just turn the car on, press and release the brakes a few times, rev the engine to over 2,000, shut the engine off, and then restart the car.
An OBD-II scanner could be the most foolproof and informative avenue to resetting the check engine light. In some cases, the light will reset itself over several driving cycles if it was a minor glitch and you rectified the issue that prompted it, like a loose gas cap.
Complicated matters Further, the check light goes into the mode that turns resetting your dash warning light on or off, and once in that mode, it is possible to send a command cheat code that jumps the light.
Whether you want to accept that kind of programming under the hood is up to you. Just remember that it is common to have technologies with self-defeating human beings override systems these days, but they rarely produce a better outcome.
When in doubt, take your Subaru to your local mechanic. If you do not feel like going in to diagnose, never reset your dash light if the system hasn’t done so already; you will miss the opportunity to correct a real problem that could affect your safety and the efficiency of your car. The check engine light is a clear and visible indication of potential problems.
What to Do Before Subaru Check Engine Light Resetting
One should never, ever reset the check engine light in a Subaru until the car has been diagnosed because otherwise, you’ll just set the reset button for something more serious and way more expensive down the road.
To get started, plugana OBD-II scanner into the vehicle to read the diagnostic codes set in the vehicle’s computer. These codes can indicate a problem such as a loose gas cap, a bad oxygen sensor, or a far more serious problem with the engine.
After figuring out the problem, then go robotic: do whatever repairs need to be made, double-check that all repairs have been done, and, if you had to replace any parts because they’re defective, double-check that the defective part really has been replaced.
Once you’re satisfied that the problem has been fixed, go for a short ride, just to make sure that the problem didn’t come back while you were fixing it and also just to make sure that some other problem didn’t suddenly manifest itself while you were fixing the original problem. Only then can the MIL reset, whether by using the OBD-II scanner to reset the code or by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery.
Steps to Reset the Subaru Check Engine Light
Using An OBD-II Scanner
The surefire way to clear the check engine light is with an OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics) scanner that reads and erases trouble codes from your car’s computer. Here’s how:
- Pick up or Rent an OBD-II Scanner: Available at auto stores or online.
- Locate the OBD-II Port: It’s usually under the dashboard near the driver’s seat.
- Connect the Scanner: Plug the scanner into the OBD-II port.
- Ignition On: Push the key that, in a powered-off car, would start the engine with the extra key to the right to hold the key in place.
- Read the Codes: Follow the scanner’s instructions to read the error codes.
- Clear the Codes: With the codes written down, simply press Enter to clear the codes. This will turn off the check engine light.
Disconnecting the Battery
If you don’t have an OBD-II scanner, simply disconnect the battery to reset the light. Here’s the trick to that:
- Turn Off the Vehicle: Ensure your Subaru is completely off.
- Remove the Negative Terminal: Use a wrench to loosen the negative battery cable. Do not touch the positive terminal.
- Wait for 15 Minutes: This allows the vehicle’s electrical system to reset.
- Reconnect the Battery: Reattach the negative terminal securely.
- Boot the Ride: Turn on the car to see if the check engine light is off.
Maintenance Tips for Subaru Check Engine Light Reset
To avoid future check engine light issues, consider the following maintenance tips:
Regular Oil Changes: Keeps the engine running smoothly.
Tighten the Gas Cap: Ensure it’s properly sealed after refueling.
Routine Inspections: Have your vehicle checked periodically by a professional.
Use Quality Fuel: Poor-quality fuel can cause engine issues.
FAQs On Subaru Check Engine Light Reset
How long will the check engine light stay on after fixing the problem?
You will need to clear the trouble code or repair the condition, and then the check engine light will probably reset within a few driving cycles (roughly 10 to 20). You can also use the scan tool to reset the light immediately.
Is it safe to drive my Subaru with the check engine light on?
Better to get the check engine light sorted out sooner rather than later. Some are minor issues; others can cause serious damage if you ignore them. If the light is blinking, it signals a critical problem. You should stop driving and have it fixed immediately.
Why would a loose fuel cap cause the ‘check engine’ light to turn on?
Check your gas cap and make sure it is tight or is not damaged. Your engine control system detects a fuel system leak and illuminates the light. ALWAYS REMEMBER to tighten the gas cap after a fuel fill-up.
Do I need a professional mechanic to reset the check engine light?
Even with professional-level diagnostic scan tools, a good technician will still want to check the wiring to make sure there are no driver-accessible causes before clearing the code. But if you don’t feel comfortable searching for the problem, you can simply clear the code—reset the check engine light with a scanner capable of that or by disconnecting the battery. Then, begin driving again.
Will resetting the check engine light pass an emissions test?
Clearing the engine light by turning off the ignition will only temporarily erase error codeshttps://www.udiagtech.com/what-does-erasing-obd-error-codes-exactly-do-to-a-car/, and emissions testing can detect recent resets. As such, your car can fail integrity if the issue isn’t corrected. You must fix the reason behind the error before an emissions test will pass.
Conclusion
You’ll need the right tools and expertise to reset the check engine light on your Subaru. Have no fear; once the underlying problem is taken care of, whether it be with a scanner or battery disconnection, the light will remain off, and you won’t have to use the Subaru key to reset it ever again.
Even better, regular maintenance and brake checks can help you keep your Subaru running smoothly so you can take all of your trips with confidence.