how to remove check engine light

Please note:

Before you work on your vehicle or disconnect the battery, please refer to your vehicle handbook for guidance first.
If you see a red engine management light, it means your engine has a serious fault and you should pull over and seek roadside assistance.

Not got breakdown cover?

For more details on the car breakdown cover options we offer visit our car breakdown cover page.

What can cause the engine management light to come on?

You may be wondering what can cause the engine management light to come on but the engine warning light, or engine management light (eml) as it is properly named, can appear for a number of issues.

Some cars display the engine warning light in different colours according to how serious the problem is. The engine warning light may also flash. Check your vehicle handbook for the precise definitions but typically, the eml will appear on your dashboard as a red or amber light.

Ensuring that you have appropriate breakdown cover in place can offer you peace of mind, should you experience an issue with the eml coming on on your dashboard.

Amber engine management light

If your dashboard is displaying or flashing the amber engine management light symbol, your powertrain may have a problem. This error may be caused by something simple, or it could be a more serious issue. It's important to find out what the problem is and fix it.

After the eml issue is solved

Once you have solved the issue, you may find that the amber engine management light remains on due to a glitch. In this case, there are a few easy ways to make the light switch off. We'll explain how to complete an engine management light reset below.

We'll also show you how to determine the cause of any fault.

Finding out what the fault is

On-board diagnostic scanner

The easiest way to determine a fault causing the amber engine management light to come on is to use an OBD2 (on-board diagnostic) scanner. This device can be purchased online for around £20. Simply connect the OBD2 scanner to the connection port, which should be located under your dashboard on the passenger side. Almost all cars built after 2000 have this port.

How to use an on-board diagnostic scanner

After connecting the OBD2, turn off all connected gadgets then turn on your ignition. Press the "READ" button and any error codes will be displayed. Note down the codes then consult your car's handbook to find out what the fault is. If you don't have your handbook, the manual that came with the scanner should tell you what the code(s) mean.

Next, press "ERASE" (or "CLEAR" on some scanners), which will clear all the error codes. If all the error codes are cleared, the amber engine management light will go off.

What if you don't have an on-board diagnostic scanner?

Alternatively, you may decide to take your vehicle to your local garage, where they will have an OBD2 diagnostics scanner. They will then scan the code and determine the issue with your EML.

Resetting the engine management light

How to reset engine management light?

If you believe there are no issues with your engine, but the EML remains on, there are a number of ways to clear it. One of the best known methods is to disconnect your car's battery cables. Use a wrench to remove positive and negative cables. Next, drain any residual current by holding down the horn for half a minute.

Wait around 15 minutes, then reconnect the battery cables. Check the error codes have been deleted and the engine management light has gone off. If the light returns, then you probably have an issue that requires the attention of a mechanic.

Alternatively, your local garage will be able to reset your engine management light.

Turning the ignition on and off

An even simpler way to clear the engine management light is to turn the ignition on and off. This approach achieves the same outcome as the previous step, but without disconnecting the battery. Turn the ignition on and off three times, pausing a second between each cycle. The engine management light should go off. If it doesn't, consult a mechanic.

Wait for the light to go off

If you notice the engine management light has come on, you could wait a few days to see if it goes off by itself. The light may come on due to some internal glitch. However, if the EML remains on after this period, you should take steps to determine the problem.

You may also find that the engine light goes off for a period, then returns. Once again, this means you should take action to work out what the issue is. The easiest way is to take your car to a mechanic.

Why is my eml coming on?

Unless it is due to a glitch, there are a number of possible reasons why your engine management light has come on.

Loose petrol cap

A loose petrol cap is one of the most common causes for the engine management light to come on. Check the cap to see if it is damaged. If it is, replace the cap with a new one.

Oxygen sensor

Your engine management light may come on if the oxygen sensor detects your car is running fuel which is too rich or too lean. There may also be a fault with the sensor. This can be remedied by reprogramming/recalibrating the engine control unit (ECU). Your mechanic will be able to do this for you.

Diesel particulate filter (DPF)

Your engine management light may come on if there is a fault with your DPF - a filter that captures and stores exhaust soot and essentially helps make your engine less polluting. A faulty differential pressure sensor may also mean the car's engine control unit doesn't know the status of the DFP, which could cause the engine management light to come on.

Mass airflow sensor

Your car's mass airflow sensor helps your engine run efficiently. The ECU needs data from the mass airflow sensor to determine how much fuel to add to the combustion chambers so it matches the amount of air flowing into the engine. A missing, clogged or damaged air filter can itself damage the mass airflow sensor and cause the engine light to come on.

Ignition system

In a petrol car, issues with your spark plugs or coils may cause the engine management light to come on.

Taking your car to the garage

As mentioned, if any of these processes are outside of your mechanical/electrical knowledge, or if you simply do not have the time or inclination, then your local garage will be able to assist you in diagnosing and solving your engine management light issue and in undertaking an engine management light reset.

Have you noticed your airbag light come on? Find out more here.