How to Clear Vehicle Warning Lights?
2 Answers
Methods to clear vehicle warning lights: When the warning light is on, start and turn off the vehicle three times in a row, or disconnect the negative terminal of the engine battery, wait for 30 seconds, and then reconnect it. It is important to note that when the engine warning light is on, it generally cannot be cleared manually. Usually, it requires visiting a 4S shop to use a fault detection device for troubleshooting before it can be cleared. After the engine warning light comes on, it can be divided into three situations with corresponding solutions: 1. If the car cannot start, this may be caused by a fuel pump or ignition component failure, and you can directly call for assistance; 2. If the warning light is on but there are no abnormal driving conditions, this may only be due to a sensor malfunction. In this case, you can continue driving temporarily, but it is best to drive at low to medium speeds and immediately go to an auto repair shop for inspection and repair; 3. If the engine warning light comes on, the vehicle can still be driven but exhibits severe shaking, lack of acceleration, and other symptoms. In this situation, you should immediately call for a rescue vehicle.
My old car often has dashboard warning lights coming on, and I've dealt with it several times myself. The most straightforward method is to plug an OBD-II scanner into the diagnostic port, read the error codes, and then press the clear button to turn off the light. However, this is just a temporary cover-up—the underlying issue remains. For example, last time the light came on due to a faulty oil pressure sensor. After clearing it without repairing, the light came back on the next day. So, I must emphasize: when a warning light comes on, don't rush to clear it—first, investigate the cause. Otherwise, driving could pose risks like engine overheating or oil starvation. If you DIY, you’ll need to spend a bit on tools—around a hundred bucks will do—and it’s easy to follow the instructions. But if you don’t understand circuits, it’s best to consult a reliable repair shop first to avoid damaging other components. I’ve used this method for over five years, saving a lot on dealership visits—but only if you truly know what you’re doing.
