Car Computer Reset

Guys-

I had an engine fault code and had the E brake replaced. The E Brake was giving me the "check engine" light and I'm trying to get the truck inspected. The guys at the dealership are telling me that I have to drive it at least 100 miles before I can bring it in for inspection to get the fault code cleared out of the computer.

Is there any way I can reset the computer to clear that fault code and have it inspected and pass?

As you can see- I'm in Texas. Just wanted to see if anyone else had experience with this and what my options are.

Thank you for your help.

-Ryan

 

Doesn't matter how you reset it. After being reset the ECU will go into a drive cycle test, if they plug something into your OBDII port they will know. I have a reader that will detect when your vehicle is in the drive cycle test phase. You can reset it by disconnecting the battery for a couple min but you will still have to drive a while to clear the test phase.

Edit: More specifically you can clear the code by disconnecting the battery or using a reader but it won't pass inspection for emissions until you complete the drive cycle.

 

@crashnburn80 do you know how long the drive cycle is? Is it really 100 miles?

 

No. The drive cycle just covers a bunch of procedures that need to be preformed repeatedly in order for the ECU to validate all the systems. They just say 100 miles because it is easier for most consumers to understand.

According to google drive cycle test:

To perform an OBDII Driving cycle do the following:

1. Cold Start. In order to be classified as a cold start the engine coolant temperature must be below 50°C (122°F) and within 6°C (11°F) of the ambient air temperature at startup. ...
2. Idle. ...
3. Accelerate. ...
4. Hold Steady Speed. ...
5. Decelerate. ...
6. Accelerate. ...
7. Hold Steady Speed. ...
8. Decelerate.

Without an OBDII reader capable of identifying the ECU being in the drive cycle test loop, I'm not sure how you would know the ECU has marked it as complete.

 

Awesome. Thank you. I'm going to see what I can get worked out this weekend and what I can make happen by Monday.

I'll report back.

Thank you @crashnburn80 - sincerely thank you.

 

I think you may have misunderstood or they just stated it rather poor .

Any time the battery is disconnected or the codes cleared all the tests are cleared .

Herein Pa to get your emission sticker all the tests need to have run and the mil has not tripped

Sometimes it can take quite a few miles despite trying to follow the guidelines to make it happen

I have had some take a few hundred miles

A royal pain to me at first now There is a code reader in all my OBII vehicles

 

This ^^^.
They told you, OP, a hundred miles because after a hundred miles there's a good chance the specific conditions that the drive cycle has to complete will have been met. There isn't a specific mileage you need to complete. These tests that the OBD will run while you drive need to be completed without throwing the MIL. The only way to know for sure they are complete is with a scanner. So they weren't trying to BS you. You might want to get one of these bluetooth scanners for your own purposes:

for Android Phones ONLY - Wireless Bluetooth Diagnostic OBD2 Scanner Car Code Reader and Scan Tool for All 1996 & Newer Vehicles ELM327 Compatible OBDII

https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-34t5-Bluetooth-Android/dp/B005NLQAHS
There may be cheaper ones as well. Get the free Torque app to use with the scanner.