You undoubtedly have faced error codes while driving at some point. It’s not only annoying, but it is also gruesome to eliminate. You might be afraid of going to the repair shop, which can cost a lot of your dollars. You are thinking of solving the error codes yourself but have not found a guideline that will clear the OBD2 codes. Today, I will disclose some of the infallible tricks to clear the OBD2 fault codes to save you from this awkward situation.
How To Clear OBD2 Codes Without A Scanner?
There are various ways that you can encounter the OBD2 codes. Most of the cases, people do not have the OBD2 scanning tool to scan the vehicle. Then what will you do? Now I will show you the perfect ways to solve the error codes without having a scanner.
Step-1: Disconnect all the cables from the battery
First, park your car on a plain surface. Then carefully remove the hood of the car. Next, remove the cables from the battery, remove the black one, and then remove the red wire. Hold the cables together for a few minutes to clear the code. The battery must have a terminal cap that might be hidden under the cover. Lose the cap with the help of a wrench and make sure that the opposite side wires never meet each other.
Step-2: Turn off and on the ignition several times
When you are done removing the battery and the cap, it is time to turn the on and off the ignition 2 to 5 times. Then hold the horn of the vehicle for a couple of minutes, it will exhaust the remaining electricity in the ECU, and the ECU will be decently updated. Turning on and off the system may re-flash the ECU, and the codes must have been eliminated during the process.
Step-3: Reconnect the cables
After turning the ignition on and off, you must wait for some time, like 10 minutes. In between the process, reconnect the cables and the connectors just like before to the opposite ends of the battery. Make sure that you have connected the suitable side wire to the right side of the battery.
Step-4: Take a test drive of the car
Finally, you are ready to go. Turn on the ignition key and then start the engine until it warms up. Take a small test drive of the car and check if the codes still are in operation. By following this process, you can eliminate the codes without using the scanner. If the process fails, scan the whole thing using a compatible OBD2 scanner.
How To Clear OBD2 Codes With A Scanner?
As you have tried to remove the code without a scanner, now is the time to import a scanner and check for the error codes. Here I will elaborate on the total procedure of eliminating the error codes with an OBD-II scanning tool.
First, you need to be sure that your car model is compatible with the OBD-II scanner. After that, arrange a digital and intelligent OBD-II scanning tool to progress the operation. Find out the exact location of the OBD2 port and then connect the scanner with that interface of the port. Switch on the scanner and scan for possible error codes; Turn on the vehicle and register the error codes; the next step is the most crucial, where all the error codes appear on the screen of the scanning tool.
There might be an option that suddenly appears on the screen. Click the delete option to remove the codes. But it is completely not wise to eliminate the OBD2 codes like this. The codes need proper treatment to be cleared. By removing the code in this way, the actual faults are still present in the system. You must consult a professional and repair the codes if you have ample time. You can use advanced OBD2 tools like Autel MaxiCheck Pro or Launch X431 V+ to do the job effectively.
Problems you will face after resetting OBD2 Codes:
Tons of crucial problems may happen after resetting the OBD2 codes. This is actually not the right way to fix the error codes. In other words, you are unethically and forcefully trying to clear the OBD2 codes. This unusual force may cause bigger damage to the car in the near future. Some of the problems that could soar up are discussed below so that you feel the agitation to repair the codes,
A resetting may upgrade the system, including the clock speed, radio, acceleration, and power of the ECU. During the resetting, the ECU invests all its energy in fixing the codes. Therefore, when you are going to restart the car, it may face some stalling issues accompanied by the limp mode. Another common problem that you face is transmission issues. Your car has rebooted all the systems, and now it has added some features to the main interface of the vehicle.
The new updated version may create unnecessary problems in the OCV, the camshaft chamber, or even the timing component section, which could be poorly hampered. The car may emit unhealthy smokes that affect the vehicle’s combustion system. Many of the problems are related to the starting and acceleration. So be careful before resetting the error codes without giving them proper treatment.
FAQs
How do you tell if OBD2 codes have been cleared?
The MIL starts to illuminate the engine icon when the system faces any trouble codes. The dashboard remains illuminated as long as the code occurs. If the MIL or CEL stops illuminating nearly after a minute, that means the PCM has cleared the code all by itself without taking the help of the scanner or by disconnecting the battery.
Is it good to clear the trouble codes?
The trouble codes determine exactly where the problem has occurred in the vehicle. It also operates the driving habit and the internal controlling system of the car. So it is not wise to forcefully clear the codes without repairing those. This temporary elimination may seem profitable, but it affects the vehicle disastrously in the long run.
How long does it take for the OBD2 codes to clear?
The vehicle’s internal computer is responsible for automatically clearing the DTC codes. The resetting of the internal system is repeated every 10 to 20 cycles depending on how many times you have on and off the engine. In some cases, you need to drive for some time to reset and clear the OBD2 codes.
Conclusion
The trouble codes are always annoying and tiresome to eradicate. If you see the check engine light on, it probably must be indicating something severe in the system. That’s why it will be good for you to examine the main engine once. If the engine is all okay, then scrutinize some basic checks, including the gas chamber, oil control valve, and other necessary components. Eliminating the fault codes is not that difficult, but if it affects the internal condition of the vehicle, then it could be devastating. So maintain proper steps to clear the OBD2 fault codes.
Hi, I am Henry, the owner of this website. If you are a DIY car enthusiast like me and are looking for an all-purpose OBD2 scanner, you’ve come to the right place. With 5+ years of experience in the automobile industry, I have in-depth knowledge about most of the OBD2 scanners regarding their software versions, firmware, features, updates, and compatibility. I love reviewing these gadgets after using and testing them personally. As a result, I always try to provide my honest opinion on the overall product quality.