Step By Step Guide: How To Reset Car Computer
You can learn how to reset car computer if you do not want to have it replaced to save you some money.
When your car computer starts to malfunction you will experience any of these signs: engine performance issues such as lagging or surging, engine misfire and stall, check engine light will come on or engine won’t start.
Here in this article, you will find how to reset car computer helpful if your car computer begins to malfunction.
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How To Reset Car Computer
Follow the steps below to reset your car computer:
Step 1: Use a hand wrench to lose the battery terminals.
Step 2: Disconnect the battery to prevent power from flowing to your car’s computer.
Step 3: Turn the headlight switch ON so that the capacitors in the ECU box can drain all the electricity.
Step 4: Wait for about 45 minutes to allow your car computer to return to its default settings.
Step 5: Replace the battery terminals in the battery compartment.
Step 6: Return to your car.
Step 7: Start your car and put the gear in neutral and place your foot on the break.
Step 8: Allow your car to run for about 4-5 minutes in neutral.
Step 9: Then take your car for a drive, you need to drive for 20-25 minutes at a speed over 35 miles per hour to allow your car to completely relearn the basic things like air intake and fuel injection.
How To Reset Car Computer Without Disconnecting Battery
You may want to reset your car computer to its default factory settings by clearing the memory of your car computer or ECU.
This helps to fix engine performance issues or to clear an engine check light.
You can find out how to reset your car computer without disconnecting the battery by following the steps below:
Step 1: Turn your car off and remove your car key.
Step 2: Open the hood and locate the fuse box. You can find the fuse box behind the car engine.
Step 3: Open the fuse cover.
Step 4: Locate and remove the ECU/ECM fuse.
Step 5: Leave the fuse out for about 15 to 20 seconds.
Step 6: Return the ECU fuse from where it was removed.
Step 7: Ensure you replace the fuse cover to prevent damage.
Step 8:?Check if the check engine light has now been cleared.
step 9: Take your car out for a test drive and pay attention to your car’s behavior when driving.
How Long To Leave Battery Disconnected To Reset Car Computer
You may want to find out for how long do I leave my battery disconnected to reset car computer?
Your car computer will only fully reset when you leave your car battery disconnected for the right amount of time.
Simply use a wrench to disconnect the negative cable from the negative (-) battery terminal. Then leave the battery disconnected for about 15 minutes to allow the capacitors to drain the power in the ECU box so that they can return to their original format.
Does Disconnecting a Car Battery Reset The Computer?
Simply disconnecting your car battery and removing the ECU fuse from the fuse box will allow the capacitors to drain the remaining power in the ECU box which causes your car computer to reset by returning to its original format.
How Do You Know If Your ECU Is Not Working?
When the ECU is faulty this affects the performance of your car engine and the information received from the engine sensors.
Some of the symptoms of a faulty ECU include:
- Engine lags or surges.
- Engine misfires and stalls.
- Your car not starting.
- Engine light displaying on the dashboard.
Which Battery Terminal To Remove To Reset ECU?
To Reset the ECU or your car computer simply use a hand wrench to disconnect the negative battery terminal. To locate the negative battery terminal look for the negative (-) sign displayed on the battery.
How Long Does It Take For A Car Computer To Reset?
After clearing your car computer, it needs to relearn the driving process again. You should drive for at least 30 minutes.
Test drive your car to ensure the issue has been resolved. Make sure you do not drive too slow when test-driving.
How Many Miles to Reset Car Computer
Ensure you drive for about 50 to 100 miles to complete the relearning process by monitoring all the sensors and registering the results.
Conclusion On How To Reset Car Computer
If having tried to reset your car computer and it remains faulty you may need to replace it. The average cost of an ECU ranges between $400 and $1400 depending on your car model.
You can visit a car dealer to get your ECU reprogrammed to a new style of computer. If you don’t want to visit a car dealer you can also purchase pre-programmed “plug and play” car computers.
