How To Fix Malfunction Indicator Lamp: A Detailed Guide

If the malfunction indicator lamp is still on a few days after fixing your car, you have an option to reset it yourself or bring your car back to the pros.

There is a proper way how to fix malfunction indicator lamp of a car. Below we will discuss four ways to do it yourself.

For Your Safety

What does malfunction indicator light mean?

The malfunction indicator lamp or MIL, also called the check engine light, is a safety component of your car.

An on-board computer system will flash the MIL in your dash if there is a problem with your car’s emission system, specifically for these possible reasons:

1. A loose gas cap
2. Low oil pressure
3. Overheating
4. Faulty oxygen sensor
5. Faulty catalytic converter
6. Bad spark plugs

If your check engine light turns on, do not turn a blind eye. Driving around with this lamp on will put you and your passengers’ safety at risk.

Immediately schedule a repair in your trusted auto repair. Remember to drive moderately while MIL is on, as you go to the auto repair.

With professionals assessing your car, the problem that had set off the malfunction indicator lamp will surely be addressed.

Reset The MIL

After a trip to the auto repair, you might have received assurance that the faults in your car system have been fixed. With this, the malfunction indicator lamp should turn off. Or, you can also request the repair crew to reset it for you.

However, you can opt to follow any of these four methods on how to fix malfunction indicator light.

Drive Your Car

Make sure that you have had your car assessed, and the problems that set off the MIL were addressed. Continue to drive your vehicle as you would normally do. If, after three days, the lamp is still on, bring your car back to auto repair for further assessment.

Turn Your Engine On And Off

Some vehicles have MIL reset by just turning the engine on and off three times.

To do this, insert your key into ignition and turn the engine on for a second. Then, turn it off for one second. Repeat this twice, then drive normally. Examine the malfunction indicator lamp turns off.

Battery Check

To reset the malfunction indicator lamp, disconnect and reconnect your car’s battery using a wrench.

1. Open the hood.
   
2. Detach the positive power cable from the battery.
   
3. Leave it disconnected for at least fifteen minutes.
   
4. Then, turn your engine on thrice. It clears the emissions data from your car’s memory.
   
5. Reattach the positive power cable to the battery; turn the key in the ignition.
   
6. After a minute, the malfunction indicator lamp should turn off.

Use An OBD Code Reader

For this method of resetting your MIL, you will need a wrench and an on-board diagnostics (OBD) reader.

You can buy an OBD reader online. Good news, it is inexpensive and functional. It is a system that can analyze a car’s computer system. To add, it can report and clear any diagnostic trouble codes.

Follow these steps:

1. Plug your OBD reader to the OBD port of your car.
   
2. Press the ‘Enter’ button to turn on the OBD reader.
   
3. The reader will then start analyzing your engine for error codes. After analysis, error codes will be displayed on the OBD reader’s interface. Note the error codes so you can check them on your reader’s manual or online.
   
4. Scroll the reader to find the option to erase the error codes. Press ‘Enter’ when you find the erase option.
   
5. The malfunction indicator lamp should turn off after you perform this method.

Conclusion

We have provided you a detailed guide on how to fix malfunction indicator lamp yourself or how to reset MIL. However, it is still best to consult the pros for mechanical or electronic problems, especially if these have affected your car’s performance.