How do you reset the "check engine" light on a 1999 Dodge Stratus?

[DORAM]

My "check engine" light has been on since I got my car almost 2 years ago.



My boyfriend finally did a tune up on my car and said that the light has to be reset. Getting him to do it is another story. I figure it sounds easy enough for me to do anyway.



 I'd really like it to get it done so that if it comes back on, after being reset, I'll know there must be another reason for it being on in the first place.



 I've done a little research on reseting the light, and from what I've found, I need to disconnect the negative battery cable while the car isn't on and then turn the key to the start position for a few seconds, turn the car off and reconnect the cable. If this is true, how do I get to that cable? The battery isn't visible when you open the hood but you can jump the car off by lifting the hood and using the positive and negative cable attachments. Can I just disconnect the cable located on the negative attachment? I'm guessing probably not. LOL.



Thanks!

[JODS2001]

Sounds like you need to take it to the garage.  It is probably the MAS (Mass airflow sensor) or maybe the 02 sensor in your exhaust system.  Shouldn't be too costly to fix.

[whatacrock]

Your car is an OBD-II car. That stands for On Board Diagnostics-II. All cars made after 1996 have this. You can only reset it by using a scan tool. You might be able to get an employee from AutoZone or some other parts place that has an available scan tool to do it for you; although I think they have stopped doing this for people wanting to pass their emissions inspection.



Just doing a tune up won't necessarily fix whatever the problem was to begin with. A code reader or scan tool should have led you to the problem to begin with.

[Cubby]

Disconnect the negative battery cable for a few minutes then reconnect. The light should be off.

[LanceS]

Here is what you want to do and yes you are right there is a reason the light came on. Sadly you will have to take it to tech, not the dealership find a GOOD independent place, and save some money. They will first hook up the scan tool and it will print out at a code YOU WANT THAT CODE. They will then tell you what might need to be fixed and if it is nothing big they will clear it, but make sure you get the code on the work order. Then the light will go off, if you don't correct the problem the light will go back on. Even if you do the battery deal, the light might still come back on if whatever the problem was does not get fixed. 70% of the time it is a Evac code, which means the gas cap was not put on tight enough. If you choose not to fix the problem then you come back and put the code in google and it will get you to what needs to be fixed. You only have to worry if the check eng light flashes at you then pull over ASAP! Good luck!

[dodgeman]

that would work on the older cars but not the newer ones,you have to use a scanner or the light will come back on,when you use a scanner the machine turns the light off,but if there's a problem with the car the light will come back on again,so erasing it may not make it stay off for long unless its been repaired,good luck on it.