Cancelling "check engine" light

I searched all through the threads and can't find the answer- if there is one.
I had a faulty gas cap which activated the "check engine" light. (It was an after-market, lockable cap) Found this out after pulling into a Toyota dealer when I was out of town, after they scanned it. They told me to replace the cap when I got home and they cancelled out the C.E. light on the dash. I was just going to buy the proper cap but they had none in stock. Just prior to getting home the light came on again. Once I got home I replaced the cap with the original Toyota non-locking cap. The dealer had told me that the light would go out after a few miles but its starting to piss me off. Is there a way to cancel out the check engine light after repairs have been made without a computer scan tool? Where I live is a boat ride and many miles from a Toyota dealer. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it. Thanks FG67

 

will try it thanks

 

go to an autozone or something and they will clear it for you

 

Not they wont they send you to the dealer, they say that only the dealer can cancel it and the dealer wants like $80 for it, I just waited a couple days and the computer corrected it after I fixed the problem.

 

this just happend to me my old gas cap had dirt in it so i bought a new one no more check engine light the dealer wanted $150 for a new cap and a c.e.l clear i bought a new cap for $14 lol

 

Thank you all- particularly tigerfan00.I disconnected the battery for a few minutes and no more CEL. Drove it for a few miles and all seems OK.

 

i thought that by pressing and holding the odo and trip buttons in a certain order would clear it. one of my dads friends is a toyota dealer and thats what he told us to do on our 4runner whenever the light came on.

 

Yes I have done this but cannot find the thread.turn key all the way forward without starting the vehicle. push the trip button until the odometer shows and then hold it down until it reads XXXXX or something and then while still holding it you turn the key off all the way and then let go of button. next time you turn the key on the light should be off.

its been a while but that is how i remember it. i'm going to look for the thread again to be sure.

Edit: Ok so it was for the Maintenance required light. you said check engine light. those are different lights i believe.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/121-latest-generation-tacomas-reset-maint-reqd-light.html

 

Yup, wrong light

 

yep and the link didnt turn out right oh well i would definitely be disconnecting the battery before paying a dime.

ive tried everytinkg to get the link to work but nothing works. i even copied the one i followed to get to it and still no luck!

its by KilitedChicken called latest tacoma generation Tacoma's. reset of "maint reqd" light

 

You are indeed clearing the mil, but you are also clearing system readiness and if you need an emissions sticker you won't get one until all systems are ready. If the mil is system readiness and global OBD II should read codes. There is a problem with one of the systems and when the computer gets to this specific portion of the drive cycle it fails it. This is when the light will come on. I takes a week of normal driving city/highway to meet most system readiness. We have 2001 f250 at the airport that have never passed system readiness because they never go over 20 MPH.