It’s that time of year again when families gather around the kitchen table to discuss potential car problems. This year, we’re asking our readers how often they’ve had to reset their check engine light by unplugging their car battery. After all, if it’s an issue that crops up regularly, it might be worth taking the time to fix it before it becomes a bigger problem. Let us know in the comments below!
What is the Check Engine Light?
The Check Engine Light is a light on your dashboard that may come on when your car has trouble with its engine. It can tell you about problems with your engine, like a bad air sensor or faulty fuel injectors. Sometimes the light will just stay on, and other times it will turn off after a while.
How Does the Check Engine Light Trigger?
If you have a car with a computerized system that monitors various functions, such as the air conditioning and fuel system, it’s likely that the check engine light will turn on when something goes wrong with one of these systems. The most common reason for the check engine light to come on is due to a problem with the car’s battery.
When the battery is not providing enough power to run all of the car’s electronics, the computer will detect this and turn on the check engine light. This can be caused by a variety of things, from a dead battery to a failed electrical connection. In most cases, simply replacing the battery will resolve the issue and reset the check engine light.
Resetting a Check Engine Light with a Battery Switch
If you have a Check Engine Light on your car, and you’re not sure whether it’s because of something wrong with the engine, or something wrong with the car itself, one way to try to clear it is to disconnect the car battery. Disconnecting the battery will reset the computer in the car, and should clear any errors that may be causing the light to come on.
Pros and Cons of Unplugging My Car Battery
The Pros and Cons of Unplugging My Car Battery:
On the upside, unplugging your car battery can disable any malfunctions that may be causing your Check Engine Light to come on. This is especially useful if you have a CEL that is only coming on intermittently and you’re not sure why. Plus, unplugging your car battery can also prevent potential damage to your vehicle if something goes wrong while it’s not running.
However, unplugging your car battery can also have negative consequences. If something goes wrong while your car is unplugged, you may not be able to get it running again without help. And even if you can get it running, you could end up with a lot of damage done to your engine or other components. So make sure you understand the risks before taking any action.
Conclusion
In general, it’s generally a good idea to unplug your car battery if you experience problems with your car. However, there is no guarantee that unplugging the battery will reset the Check Engine Light. Sometimes, removing the battery can cause more damage to the computer system in your car than just having an unreliable car battery. If you are experiencing serious problems with your car and suspect that unplugging the battery might be causing them, consult a mechanic or technician first before making any major changes.