Resetting A GMC Check Engine Light

Sometimes your check engine light appears when a problem arises in Rome, but sometimes it persists well after a trip to the service center. In these cases, learning how to reset your check engine light is a simple process that you can do at home. Here are the three things you can try when your check engine light pops on:

Diagnose and Resolve the Problem

Your Buick check engine light automatically activates when the vehicle’s systems sense a problem. This could be something minor or something major, so it’s important to get the issue diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible. When the check light is activated, your car also generates a diagnostic code that a technician can easily find. The faster you get your issue diagnosed, the faster you can reset the code – so schedule your service at your earliest convenience or read on to learn simple tricks on how to reset check engine lights.

Resetting A Buick Check Engine Light Manually

If nothing is wrong with your vehicle, you might find that resetting your check engine light manually is a good option. This might sound difficult, but it’s simple. Learn more about how to reset a GMC check engine light:

1. Put on your safety glasses and goggles.
2. Make sure your car’s ignition is turned off.
3. Find the negative terminal on your battery. Look for a black cap with a negative (-) symbol.
4. Loosen the nut on the negative terminal with a wrench. Pull the negative connectors from the battery and keep them to the side for 30 to 60 seconds.
5. Reconnect the battery’s negative cable and tighten it with your wrench.

This process will effectively reset your engine light in most cases, but it also may reset your electronics. So double-check your infotainment system before you drive your car in the Acworth area.

Check Your Gas Cap

While a GMC check engine light may signal a lot of things, one of the most common culprits is just a loose or cracked gas cap. When the fumes release from your gas tank, this signals your car to turn on the check engine light. So we recommend removing your gas cap and putting it back. It may turn your engine light off, but if not, try disconnecting the battery before visiting our auto parts store or service center.

Get Quality Service at Riverside Buick GMC

If you need help learning how to clear check engine lights, or you’d like to schedule an inspection, feel free to get in touch with us at Riverside Buick GMC. We’re located in Cartersville, near neighboring Canton, and we’re here to help you with car concerns large and small. Contact us with any questions – and don’t forget to check out our service specials!