Can anyone tell me how to turn the check engine light off on a 2003 Dakota with 4.7V8? Dealer said to turn key on and off three times without starting engine but that does not do it.

Help, it is driving me nuts and I don't have time to make an appt. with dealer.

 

It would behoove you to figure out why the CEL is on.

If there's nothing going on with the truck, my guess is that it's a loose fuel door. Unscrew the cap and put it back on, making sure it clicks a few times and isn't cross-threaded. I'm not sure on the Dodge's but on Subarus they're super sensitive to "EVAP system small leak" CELs, which is caused by a loose gas cap. After fixing the cap drive it around for a few minutes and it should shut itself off.


Otherwise, you'll need to invest in a code reader in order to just turn it off, and if it's an actual continuing fault such as the gas cap or a bad O2 sensor, it'll turn right back on again. If it's just a misfire code it'll stay off until it misfires again.

I bought a www.pocketlogger.com setup for my palm pilot so I can pull codes and reset them. It's more than paid for itself, and I can also do some datalogging if I ever have the desire.

 

when my check engine came on, i scanned it and got "multiple cylinder misfire". except the truck runs great. definetly no misfire. so i just pulled both battery terminals off for a minute or so. this will turn it off. but it might come back on if you dont find out what the code is. any local auto parts store will scan your car for free if you ask them. hope this helps

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. Will try the gas cap and having auto parts read it for me.

 

I found the problem. It did turn out to be the gas cap. Not now but some previous time. Auto Zone will read and turn off the code for free. Free is good.