Check Engine Light.....how to reset?

[cob206]

The Check Engine light came on on our 2002 MDX. The wife didn't tighten the gas cap last fill up so I assumed that might be the cause. 4 days have passed and the light is still on. I went to Autozone and had the the OBD codes read.....P1456 which indicates it may have been the cap. The light is still on though.

Before I take it to the dealer, I'd like to reset the CEL it and see if it comes back. How do I do that? Disconnect the battery?

TIA for any help.

[NCGuy]

AutoZone has not only checked, but also reset lights on other vehicles for me in the past.

[andreseng]

In your manual is the procedure for reseting the Check Engine light. I know it will work for the standard oil change due. Not sure if it'll work when you throw a code. But worth trying.

[cob206]

Originally posted by andreseng
In your manual is the procedure for reseting the Check Engine light. I know it will work for the standard oil change due. Not sure if it'll work when you throw a code. But worth trying.

I thought of that and tried it, but no worky.

The good news is the light went out on it's own. As it turns out after I tightened the cap, she put more gas in and left it loose again. I thightened it again and it went out the next day.

[Collie]

I had the MIL/CEL last Friday and I took the gas cap off and replaced, to make sure it was on correctly. The code was there until today.

I tried Auto Zone but here in Oxnard, CA & interestingly they no longer provide the scanner service & did not have any in stock for sale. I finally resourced a Modular diagnostic information system (MODIS) made by Span-On and it gave my P1456: (Evap system leak, fuel tank area). This thing is awesome!

I am thinking of buying a new cap since the light took too long to go off.

[polyian]

If the check engine light is off then you don't need a new cap. You need to get your wife to tighten it correctly or fill the tank on her behalf each time.

BTW..The 'check engine' and 'service engine' lights are completely different. The service engine light can be reset by performing the procedure outlined in the owners manual after you change the oil. The check engine light means a code was triggered by the ECM. There is no procedure in the owners manual to reset a check engine light.

[JeffK]

You guys are lucky. Married over 33 years and to date my wife has never filled her car(s) with gas.

She claims that is my job!

Count your blessings!

JeffK

(But a gently lesson on tightening the gas cap may be in order)

[polyian]

You guys are lucky. Married over 33 years and to date my wife has never filled her car(s) with gas.
Might have saved you problems with a loose gas cap causing a check engine light?
Maybe you should count your blessings

[JeffK]

I do - Every day!

JeffK

[cishoo]

I had the same thing on my 2003 Technology package and when you disconnect the postive wire from the battery for 3 seconds it resets the check engine light and will still hold the codes for the radio and the Navi) if you have it.

[lion9mdx]

Originally Posted by Collie

I tried Auto Zone but here in Oxnard, CA & interestingly they no longer provide the scanner service & did not have any in stock for sale.

The folks over in the Car Talk message boards have said that auto parts stores in California can't scan for codes any more. I don't remember why.

[nsxtasy]

Originally Posted by cishoo

I had the same thing on my 2003 Technology package and when you disconnect the postive wire from the battery for 3 seconds it resets the check engine light and will still hold the codes for the radio and the Navi) if you have it.

Surely, there's an easier way to reset the MIL, no? On my other Acuras, all you had to do was pull the clock fuse.

I just looked it up in my new 2003-5 MDX service manual - it's always in the front of the Fuel section - and they tell you to reset the codes through the HDS (Honda Data System), which plugs into the DLC (Data Link Connector) under the dash. But what about the DIYer who doesn't have an HDS? Isn't there another way without disconnecting the battery cables?

[CODOG2]

Originally Posted by nsxtasy

Surely, there's an easier way to reset the MIL, no? On my other Acuras, all you had to do was pull the clock fuse.

I just looked it up in my new 2003-5 MDX service manual - it's always in the front of the Fuel section - and they tell you to reset the codes through the HDS (Honda Data System), which plugs into the DLC (Data Link Connector) under the dash. But what about the DIYer who doesn't have an HDS? Isn't there another way without disconnecting the battery cables?

I bought a cheapie OBD II reader several years ago on ebay for less than $30. Best $30 I ever spent. Works for most every car after '96

[midnightMDX]

=) .