Click Here
How To

How to Get Your Vehicle through an emissions test when the "Service Engine" Light is on

Member
By Skyquest
User-Submitted Article
(3 Ratings)
Get Your Vehicle through an emissions test when the "Service Engine" Light is on
Get Your Vehicle through an emissions test when the "Service Engine" Light is on

When your vehicles "service engine" light is on, the vehicle will not pass the emissions test. The only way to get the light off is to spend money running a diagnostic on the engine, and then fixing the problem, which most of the time is associated with the catalytic converter.
This can translate in to some big bucks.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    If you are short on cash, and a vehicle bill is the last thing you need to pass your emissions test. There is a quick fix which will allow you to pass the test and then pay later to have the "service engine" light taken care of.

  2. Step 2

    Open up the hood of your vehicle. Disconnect the red battery wire from the battery. Leave it off for a few minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Re-connect the battery cable and close the hood.

  4. Step 4

    Start your vehicle and the "Service Engine" light should now be off.

  5. Step 5

    Don't take the vehicle for its emissions test yet as the on-board computer in the vehicle will show that it has been reset.

  6. Step 6

    Drive approximately 100 miles and then stop in for the emissions test.
    The on-board computer will now have reset and will show everything as normal.
    After approx. 200-300 miles the "service engine" light will come back on and you can take care of the problem when you have some available finances.

Comments  

lrecker said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2008 Nice to know!

Post a Comment

Post a Comment
  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This

Related Ads

Local Listings
Get Free Cars Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

eHow Cars
eHow_eHow Cars