How to Turn Off the Check Engine Light on Mazdas
by Alibaster Smith
When the "check engine" light comes on in your Mazda, it indicates a problem with the sensors, solenoids or valves on the vehicle. You should take care of the problem immediately. You'll need an onboard diagnostic scan tool to retrieve trouble codes from the computer. These trouble codes will tell you exactly what's wrong with your Mazda. Once you've fixed the problem, you'll need to know how to turn off the "check engine" light.
Step 1
Open the hood of your Mazda and loosen the nut on the cable clamp using a socket wrench and a 10 millimeter socket. The cable clamp is connected to the negative battery terminal. On the Mazda Miata, the battery is located in the trunk. For these cars, open the trunk, unscrew the plastic retaining nut and pull back the battery cover on the passenger side of the trunk. Then, loosen the nut on the negative battery cable clamp. It's a tight fit with a socket wrench, but it can be done.
Regardless of which Mazda you have, the battery terminals are located on the top of the battery. The cable clamps are extremely obvious and look like small round clamps that wrap around the battery terminal. The retaining nut you'll need to loosen is on the side of the cable clamp. The negative battery terminal is the terminal that does not have a red plastic cover over it.
Step 2
Slide the negative battery cable clamp off of the negative battery terminal and wait five minutes.
Step 3
Reconnect the battery cable clamp and tighten the retaining nut you loosened in step 1 using a socket wrench and a 10 millimeter socket. If you are working on a Miata, replace the battery cover and secure the plastic retaining nut.
Step 4
Turn the ignition to the "on" position and verify that the "check engine" light is now off.
References
- "Mazda MX-5 Miata Repair Manual 1990-1997"; Alan Ahlstrand, John H. Haynes; Haynes Manuals Inc.; 1998
- "Mazda 323, Protege Repair Manual 1990-2000"; Haynes Manuals Inc.; 2000
- "Mazda 626, MX-6, Ford Probe Repair & Service Manual 1993-2001"; Jay Storer, John H. Haynes; Haynes Manuals Inc.; 2001
Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench
- 10 mm socket
- Safety gear
Warnings
- Always wear safety glasses and gloves when working on your Mazda. Also, be sure that you never accidentally touch the positive terminal with the socket wrench when removing the negative cable clamp. This will cause arcing and could damage the battery or cause an explosion.
Writer Bio
I am a Registered Financial Consultant with 6 years experience in the financial services industry. I am trained in the financial planning process, with an emphasis in life insurance and annuity contracts. I have written for Demand Studios since 2009.
