Nothing beats the feeling of getting rid of a troublesome battery. After all, you’re about to get a break from battery issues that have been a pain in the neck for a long time.
However, after a hopeful battery replacement, the check engine light may still be lingering on your dashboard, making you lose your cool. And it can surprise you, especially when there haven’t been any pre-existing issues.
So, what causes the check engine light to turn on after the battery replacement issue? Is it a bad battery or an improper battery setup? There may be multiple cases.
Hence, it makes it more challenging to find the actual reason. But what is to worry about when we have this comprehensive guide to answer all your questions? Yes, you heard it right.
Going ahead, we’ve covered all the possible reasons, solutions, and tips to prevent the check engine light on after replacing the battery. So, let’s get in.
What Causes the Check Engine Light on After Battery Change
What actually leads to your check engine light turning on? Well, after battery replacement, it’s common for your car’s computer to malfunction. It may assume more power supply from a new battery as a problem and illuminate the check engine light.
However, that’s not the only factor. There’s a long list of possible snags we’re about to discover ahead.
Loose Gas Cap
A loose gas cap may be the reason for the check engine light to turn on. After the battery change, the computer resets and learns about this pre-existing issue. The gas cap might not be properly tightened, causing the check engine light to turn on.
Faulty Sensors
The battery replacement may also disrupt the electric flow to one or more sensors. Faulty sensors can cause them to malfunction and the check engine light to turn on.
Faulty Battery
There can be cases where a new battery turns out to be faulty and can’t provide enough power to the vehicle’s electrical systems. It could trigger the check engine light, indicating a problem with the power supply.
Malfunctioning Alternator
Your car’s alternator can also be a reason for the check engine light turning on. An alternator is responsible for charging the battery while your car is running. In case it’s faulty, your battery will not charge properly.
Damaged Wiring
The wiring may be loose or damaged during the battery change. This can cause weak signals from sensors to the car’s computer. Hence this causes the check engine light problem.
Faulty Oxygen Sensor
A faulty oxygen sensor can also be a pre-existing issue that your car’s computer will detect after resetting. If your car’s oxygen sensor is defective, the computer may not be able to receive proper readings, causing the check engine light to notify a possible problem.
Pro Tips: How to Prevent Check Engine Light on After Battery Change
Now that we know what factors cause the check engine light to come on, it’s time to see how we put this issue to an end. Here are some tips for tying loose ends and removing this pesky check engine light-on problem.
Avoid Disconnecting Battery While Engine is Running
This is the most crucial thing to consider when changing your car’s battery. Disconnecting the battery while the engine is running can cause voltage spikes that can damage sensitive vehicle sensors.
So, turning off the engine before disconnecting the battery is highly recommended.
Check the Gas Cap
A loose gas cap can cause a leak in the vehicle’s evaporative emission control system and turn on the check engine light. Therefore, ensure the gas cap is properly tightened when the problem arises.
Inspect the Battery
Before installing a new battery, inspect it properly for any signs of damage or defects, such as bulges, cracks, or leaks. Additionally, check the battery’s voltage and ensure it is compatible with your vehicle.
If the battery appears damaged or incompatible, replace it with a new one. Installing it will cause electrical problems and trigger the check engine light.
Reset the Computer
Your vehicle’s computer can malfunction after a battery change because of a change in power supply and turn on the check engine light. So, try resetting it by disconnecting the battery’s negative cable for a few minutes.
Doing so will clear all the error codes that may have been stored in the system.
Maintain the Battery Cables
If you suspect the wiring may be damaged, visually inspect it for signs of damage, such as frayed or corroded wires. You can also use a multimeter to check the wiring for continuity and proper voltage.
If there’s any damaged or broken wiring, replace them immediately to prevent further problems.
How to Reset the Check Engine Light After Battery Change
The check engine light will usually turn off after a few driving cycles as the computer system resets itself. However, if the problem persists, it’s necessary to reset it manually.
You can reset the check engine light manually and through an OBD-II scanner.
How to Reset Check Engine Light Manually
- Turn off the Engine: Before you begin, turn off the car ignition and remove the key.
- Disconnect the Battery: Locate the negative (-) terminal of the battery and disconnect it using a wrench or socket. Leave it disconnected for at least 15 minutes before you reconnect it. It will reset the computer and clear any error codes stored on it.
- Reconnect the Battery: Now, reconnect the negative battery terminal. Make sure to tighten the cable properly.
- Start the Engine: Ignite the engine and let it idle until the computer initializes and relearns its settings. Check to see if the problem persists and if the reset is successful.
How to Reset Check Engine Light Using an OBD-II Scanner
You can use an OBD-II scanner to check for any error codes. An OBD-II diagnostic tool can read and reset your vehicle’s computer system codes.
To reset the computer through an OBD-II scanner, locate the OBD-II port, and plug in the scanner. Now, turn on the engine, access the diagnostic trouble codes, select the option to clear the codes, and confirm the action.
Once you’re done, turn off the ignition and remove the scanner from the OBD-II port.
Note: It’s important to fix the underlying problem before resetting the computer, as this can further damage your car. Reset the computer only when you’re sure your vehicle has no issues and it’s a bug.
Conclusion
Your frustration is understandable when your vehicle has another problem ready even after replacing the battery. This is because disconnecting the battery resets the car’s computer system, and reconnecting it may take some time to reconfigure the system.
However, it’s important to consider that the check engine light can also indicate a serious problem with the vehicle’s engine or emission system. Therefore, fixing the problem is crucial by following the abovementioned tips, such as checking the wires and the gas cap and scanning the car for error codes.
Remember, if you’re unsure about diagnosing the problem, it’s best to seek help from a qualified mechanic or specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
