Clearing CEL and the CEL History

[carlylelocke]

Hey guys, getting ready to trade in my '17 1500. About once a month, I get a traction control symbol and message "check electronic brake system". I'm not gonna mess with fixing it. I know how to clear the code with Alfa OBD, but I was told there is also a history of code coming on as well? How do you clear that? Is it possible with Alfa OBD?

 

[GTyankee]

If you have the use of a Alfa OBD tool, or any scan tool
I would get the trouble code & then get a definition of the code

Then decide if it is worth fixing

 

[04fxdwgi]

Hmmm. Delete history from PCM so a buyer isn't aware of an existing problem. And then posting it on a forum website. How does one spell fraud?

I'm not going to contribute to this one.

 

[BossHogg]

Hey guys, getting ready to trade in my '17 1500. About once a month, I get a traction control symbol and message "check electronic brake system". I'm not gonna mess with fixing it. I know how to clear the code with Alfa OBD, but I was told there is also a history of code coming on as well? How do you clear that? Is it possible with Alfa OBD?

I do not believe you can clear a DTC that is in history. They self-clear after a predetermined number of ignition cycles without detecting the cause of the DTC. Even if you fix the cause of the DTC, it will remain in history until the criteria are met for it to be cleared from history. I've never seen the ignition cycle count published along with the DTC definitions.

 

[jws123]

Hey guys, getting ready to trade in my '17 1500. About once a month, I get a traction control symbol and message "check electronic brake system". I'm not gonna mess with fixing it. I know how to clear the code with Alfa OBD, but I was told there is also a history of code coming on as well? How do you clear that? Is it possible with Alfa OBD?

Most dealers dont check until they go to do a resale just make sure its clean the sales guy goes off of that generally.

 

[jws123]

Hmmm. Delete history from PCM so a buyer isn't aware of an existing problem. And then posting it on a forum website. How does one spell fraud?

I'm not going to contribute to this one.

lets be real here almost no one trades a vehcile in just to trade it in always something we have to fix unless its a shady dealer they will catch it later on and either wholesale or fix it.

 

[truck2014]

It definitely wouldn't pass emissions after just clearing the CEL . There will be monitors that would have to clear ,and the only way to do that is miles ,and drive cycles , but only if the CEL does not come back on , which in the Op's case it is , so its never going to pass unless the problem is fixed ,and the monitors have all cleared . In my state you can still have one 'not Ready " , and it will pass . But usually there are at least four after the CEL that need to clear .

 

[62Blazer]

I've never seen a dealer hook up a scan tool to a car I was trading in and check for codes or the code history, and don't personally know anybody who has said they do. Not saying it doesn't happen in some places, but I don't think it's common practice.
In general I would say if you can't find the code listed in Alpha or on a generic scan tool it would take some effort to find it with even the manufacturers tool. If the code wasn't active, meaning the dash light is not currently on, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[carlylelocke]

I do not believe you can clear a DTC that is in history. They self-clear after a predetermined number of ignition cycles without detecting the cause of the DTC. Even if you fix the cause of the DTC, it will remain in history until the criteria are met for it to be cleared from history. I've never seen the ignition cycle count published along with the DTC definitions.

Gotcha. Thanks.

 

[GTyankee]

In southern california, at least
There are something like 7 monitors, like was mentioned above, you can pass with only 6 monitors being good.
Many times, with a quick repair & after you do a Drive Cycle, the History will clear.
BUT, sometimes it takes more than just 1 Drive Cycle.
In that case, change oil & oil & air filters & check to make sure that your tank is above 1/3 full & drive around until the oil is warmed to operating temperature

Then do a drive cycle

 

[carlylelocke]

Carmax plugged in an OBD reader to "check that the vin was correct" but I'm betting money it showed them codes as well.

 

[DILLIGAF]

I thought you were supposed to reset the Odometer every oil change... lol...

 

[carlylelocke]

I thought you were supposed to reset the Odometer every oil change... lol...

you forgot the sawdust too!