How to Reset a Service Engine Light in a Mitsubishi Montero
by Leonardo R. GrabkowskiIf you take your vehicle to a shop to fix the problem causing a service engine light, the shop will reset the light when they are finished. If you perform the repair yourself, you will need to reset the light or wait a day or two for it to go off by itself. There are two methods to resetting the service engine light; the preferred method is by using an OBD-II scan tool, however, not everyone has one. The second method is by disconnecting the battery.
Resetting the Light by Disconnecting the Battery
Step 1
Verify you have the correct anti-theft code for your radio. All Mitisubishi factory radios have an anti-theft lockout; if the battery is disconnected, the radio will not work until the code is entered.
Step 2
Turn the engine off and open the hood to access the battery.
Step 3
Use a wrench to loosen the nut around the negative battery cable first, and then slip the cable away from the terminal.
Step 4
Loosen the nut around the positive battery cable. Pull the cable away from the terminal.
Step 5
Leave the battery disconnected for five to 10 minutes and then reattach the positive battery cable and tighten the nut.
Step 6
Reattach the negative battery cable and tighten the nut. Start the engine, verify the service engine light is off. Your radio should say "Code."
Step 7
Enter your radio code using the corresponding numbers on the radio preset buttons. When you have entered it, press the "CD" button. The radio will return to normal operation. If you have an aftermarket radio, this will not be necessary.
Resetting the Light with an OBD-II Code Scanner
Step 1
Turn your ignition to the "Acc" or "On" setting, without starting the engine.
Step 2
Attach the OBD-II scanner port to the diagnostic port on the Montero. The diagnostic port is on the driver's-side, beneath the steering wheel.
Step 3
Wait for the scanner to read the system and then press "Clear" or "Reset" to reset the service engine light.
Tips
- Resetting the service engine light will not make the light go away for good, unless you have fixed the problem.
Things You'll Need
- Wrench
- OBD-II scan tool (optional)
Warnings
- Disconnect and reconnect the battery in the exact order described; disconnecting the positive cable first could cause damage. Reconnecting the negative battery first could also cause damage.
Writer Bio
Leonardo R. Grabkowski has been writing professionally for more than four years. Grabkowski attended college in Oregon. He builds websites on the side and has a slight obsession with Drupal, Joomla and Wordpress.
