How long before CEL turns off??

SilverSlug · 11-16-2021, 12:35 PM

Wondering if there is a set time of how long before Check Engine Light turns off once a fault has been cleared?

I'm hunting down an "Increased Emissions" gremlin. Replacing overdue spark plugs, and wondering if/how long I should drive with the CEL afterward with hopes it will clear itself?

Or should I just clear the codes and hope it doesn't come back?

SilverSlug · 11-16-2021, 12:36 PM

One thing to add… My initial intuition was to just clear the codes, however I also need to smog my car, and would prefer to avoid having to have to drive/wait until the monitors are ready!

Scrippy · 11-16-2021, 01:24 PM

What's fault codes?

Ervin87 · 11-16-2021, 01:50 PM

We need more information as to what the codes are and what you have replaced .

Clearing the one code, will not clear all the monitors, but there will be a need to perform the appropriate drive cycles to get that one particular monitor to a ready state.

SilverSlug · 11-16-2021, 04:00 PM

Ah shucks… I don't remember the actual OBD code.

I replaced the spark plugs and cleaned the living sh!t out the MAF sensor (looked like it had sticky goo on it).

Once I started her up… No CEL! Monitors were already ready, so just cruised down to get the smog. She passed.

Hopefully it remains fixed. I'll follow up with the exact code if it comes back!

11-16-2021, 12:35 PM	#1
SilverSlug Hey, where have you been all my life? 692 Rep 1,398 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (2)	How long before CEL turns off?? Wondering if there is a set time of how long before Check Engine Light turns off once a fault has been cleared? I'm hunting down an "Increased Emissions" gremlin. Replacing overdue spark plugs, and wondering if/how long I should drive with the CEL afterward with hopes it will clear itself? Or should I just clear the codes and hope it doesn't come back?
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11-16-2021, 12:36 PM	#2
SilverSlug Hey, where have you been all my life? 692 Rep 1,398 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (2)	One thing to add… My initial intuition was to just clear the codes, however I also need to smog my car, and would prefer to avoid having to have to drive/wait until the monitors are ready!
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11-16-2021, 01:24 PM	#3
Scrippy Lord Scrip 1861 Rep 3,050 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Coupe Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: LA,Ca iTrader: (0) Garage List [10.00] 2007 BMW 335i [10.00]	What's fault codes? __________________
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11-16-2021, 01:50 PM	#4
Ervin87 Captain 568 Rep 625 Posts Drives: E92 M3 \| B5 S4 \| E30 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Santa Clara, CA iTrader: (5)	We need more information as to what the codes are and what you have replaced . Clearing the one code, will not clear all the monitors, but there will be a need to perform the appropriate drive cycles to get that one particular monitor to a ready state.
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11-16-2021, 04:00 PM	#5
SilverSlug Hey, where have you been all my life? 692 Rep 1,398 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 6MT Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (2)	Ah shucks… I don't remember the actual OBD code. I replaced the spark plugs and cleaned the living sh!t out the MAF sensor (looked like it had sticky goo on it). Once I started her up… No CEL! Monitors were already ready, so just cruised down to get the smog. She passed. Hopefully it remains fixed. I'll follow up with the exact code if it comes back!
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