How long for ECM to clear?

[chuckwagon101]

I have a '99 Explorer sport.

How long do I leave the battery disconnected in order to clear the trouble codes that are on it?

Thanks,

Chuck

 

[vroomzoomboom]

forever. you cant do it that way. you need a scan tool to erase them.

 

[chuckwagon101]

So if I fix a problem that the ECM flashed to me.....it will keep flashing that code on my dash until I pay someone to use the code reading tool or whatever?

 

[deweyville65]

forever. you cant do it that way. you need a scan tool to erase them.

Did something change between 96 and 99? If I unhook my battery for only a couple minutes, the codes disappear. They'll come back if the problem is not fixed. Same as when I use my scan tool to erase the codes. However when disconnecting the battery, I usually leave it off for about 10 minutes. Just tried the short time once to see what would happen.

 

[bill06447]

Cleared codes stay in memory for 50 key cycles. A CEL will go out after two normal emissions drive cycles but stay in memory. Disconnecting the battery will reset the light, but you won't pass a smog test until the drive cycles have been completed (anywhere between 30 and 300 miles). Or something like that.

Bill

 

[vroomzoomboom]

Did something change between 96 and 99? If I unhook my battery for only a couple minutes, the codes disappear. They'll come back if the problem is not fixed. Same as when I use my scan tool to erase the codes. However when disconnecting the battery, I usually leave it off for about 10 minutes. Just tried the short time once to see what would happen.

nothing at all. they are obd2 systems. the earlier obd1, and eec (eec for sure) if you unhooked the battery, yes, they would erase. as far as i have ever known (or seen on anything i have owned) you have to erase them with a code reader.