Having a smart vehicle means it can often tell you when something is not right so you can take action to fix it.
That’s the case with the Chevy Cruze. It can tell you when something may be wrong by illuminating the dash indicator, such as the check engine light.
How do you reset the check engine light on the Chevy Cruze?
To reset the check engine light, it’s important to determine what is wrong with the vehicle and fix it as a first step. Then, you’ll notice the light goes away after you drive it for a short period of time. That can take time. Another option is to turn on and off the vehicle three times in a row. This should reset the light indicator and turn the light off.
Knowing what’s going on with your car is important. The check engine light is one of the most important to pay attention to. Here, we’ll talk about what it is and why you need to make sure you get it right. We’ll also discuss the steps to take to reset this light in your Chevy Cruze. You can find more maintenance insights on your car’s Vehicle History.
What is the Check Engine Light?
The check engine light is one of the displays that may show up on your dash. When it does, that generally means you need to take the vehicle in to the dealership to determine what’s wrong. There are other ways to find out, too.
This light is not one to ignore. It can mean something simple or a more complex problem. Driving your vehicle with the light on and not knowing why could mean that you’ll worsen the problem. There are a number of possible reasons why the check engine light is on. Here are a few that relate to the Chevy Cruze.
- The oxygen sensor, or O2 sensor, failed (very common)
- The fuel cap is loose
- The catalytic converter failed
- The spark plugs are not functioning properly
- Spark plug wires are worn
- Mass airflow sensor failure
- Battery is dead
The most common reason is the simplest to fix. There is a loose or damaged gas cap on the vehicle. This allows for air to get into this area. This can easily be fixed by pulling over and tightening the gas cap or, if it is damaged, simply replacing it with a new one.
How Do You Find Out What’s Wrong with the Engine?
When the check engine light comes on in your Chevy Cruze, don’t panic. The dealership wants you to take the vehicle in to have the error codes determined. You can do this at some auto parts stores, too. They plug the computer of the engine into their computer to read the code. That’s one way to find out what the problem is.
You can also purchase an OBD2 scanner. This will allow you to check codes on your own. It will read the code and tell you what problems the vehicle’s computer system is recognizing. Then, you’ll know what to do about it.
How Do You Reset the Check Engine Light?
Did you figure out what was wrong? Did you fix it? If you do not do this, it may not actually reset no matter what steps you take from this point. For that reason, go through the process of figuring out what the problem is and fix it.
Let’s assume you’ve taken the time to figure out what is wrong. You fixed that problem. Now, keep in mind that this may change somewhat based on the vehicle model and year you own. For a 2014 model, check out this video:
That’s the display you are going to get when the check engine light is on. Follow these steps:
- Figure out what the error code is
- Fix the problem
- Turn the vehicle on for a minute. Then, turn it off
- Do this three times in a matter of a few minutes
- That resets the code
If this does not work, you can also unplug the battery from the vehicle and wait a few minutes before setting it back up.
Using the OBD2 scanner is another option. The thing to keep in mind with this method is that once you do this, it will lead to all error codes being erased from the vehicle’s computer. That becomes a problem if there are other codes that are important to your vehicle’s functionality and need to be addressed.
This video offers some insight into this process. Keep in mind that each device may be a bit different.
Follow these steps:
- Locate the OBD plug. It is near the driver’s side door (it may be in a slightly different place based on the model year and trim).
- Make sure the car is turned off.
- Plug in the scanner into the port. Ensure it is in snuggly.
- Turn on the car. Hit the “enter” button to activate the scanner. You then need to follow the instructions on the device.
- Look at the error codes. Make sure you take care of these.
- Then, hit enter after reviewing them. You’ll see an option for erasing the code. Do that to get rid of the code.
It is also an option to just drive your car. It can take between 5 and 30 miles of driving for the check engine light to go off after your vehicle’s repairs were made. Keep in mind that the car will re-learn itself and go through diagnostics to ensure it is accurately displaying codes. If it does not go away, the problem probably is not fully fixed.
Staying Up to Date on Your Vehicle’s Maintenance Is Critical
Don’t put off any maintenance on the vehicle. With the Chevy Cruze, many of these problems and service reminders will display on the vehicle’s dash when there is a problem. You also want to ensure you are meeting all maintenance requirements. Check out the Chevy Cruze Vehicle History for more insight.
