Most check engine lights are due to a vacuum issue which is probably related to a loose gas cap or a defective cap.
The one thing I wanted to point out is you can clear the code without an OBD device by just disconnecting the negative terminal on your battery. Then turn your key to the on position and let it sit for 10 minutes.
By turning the key to the on position it will discharge any capacitor that may hold enough charge to hold the code even with the battery disconnected.
After 10 minutes replace the negative battery cable and Viola your light should be out.
If you replace or tighten your gas cap and the check engine light returns you may have another issue that an OBD reader can point you in the right direction.
Most auto parts stores will no longer clear a code with the reader so I wanted to provide a cheat if you didn’t already know that method.
One of the most confounded issues I ever had was I couldn’t put gas in my truck without the auto shutoff on the pump engaging. It would literally take me 30 minutes to fill the tank. Ended up being a evaporative purge something or another on the tank that was bad. I replaced and it fixed the problem.
Check engine lights can be annoying and sometimes they come on after a car wash or an engine cleaning (something benign) so now you know how to clear it. If it comes back you might have a bigger issue.
My o2 sensors before the converter also caused a code so I had to replace those before I could keep the light off.
An OBD reader is on my Christmas list this year!
